27 Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers who joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, have given reason why they left the Peoples Democratic Party.
The defectors blamed their decision on the party’s long-running leadership face-off.
Also, they claimed that their defection had nothing to do with the issue between governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The lawmakers berated governor Siminalayi Fubara for refusing to hand over former Majority Leader Edison Ehie and others to police for an inquiry into their alleged involvement in the arson on the House of Assembly complex.
In their letters to the Speaker, the lawmakers also attributed their defection to the division triggered by the tussle for the position of the National Secretary of the party.
They complained that the conflicts has made communications channel hazy and difficult.
According to the lawmakers, the confusion surrounding the position of the National Secretary has led to a dozens of court cases instituted by party members.
They accused Fubara of protecting suspected arsonists who attempted to set the Assembly ablaze.
In a motion sponsored by 26 lawmakers and moved by Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuwa Constituency), they condemned the seizure of funds for the management of the Assembly.