Sogbeye Eli, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, has commented on the ongoing situation involving the 27 lawmakers, led by Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who are insisting they are still members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite having previously announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Eli made his statements in a video shared by Arise TV, where he provided a detailed account of the lawmakers' journey from the PDP to the APC and their subsequent attempt to revert to their original party.
Eli recalled that these lawmakers had publicly declared their defection to the APC and had even met with President Bola Tinubu, who welcomed them into the fold. He pointed out that President Tinubu, during the meeting in Abuja, referred to the defecting lawmakers as "children" and expressed an open-hearted stance toward their entry into the APC. According to Eli, the defection was not just a political maneuver but was also celebrated with a formal event at the Port Harcourt Polo Club, where Tony Okocha, the APC caretaker chairman, officially received the defectors. The event signaled the lawmakers' official integration into the APC.
Furthermore, Eli mentioned that the lawmakers took the legal step of signing affidavits, outlining their reasons for leaving the PDP and joining the APC. These affidavits were an important part of their defection process, demonstrating their commitment to the APC and legitimizing their move away from the PDP.
However, Eli expressed surprise at the lawmakers' subsequent claim that they had never actually defected, and were still loyal members of the PDP. "So when you see them revert back to say they are no more defecting after they appeared before President Tinubu in a meeting in Abuja where the president said he cannot reject children that come to him," Eli remarked, emphasizing the contradiction between their earlier actions and their current position. He questioned the sincerity and consistency of their political affiliations, given the public declarations and formal processes they had previously undergone to leave the PDP for the APC.
Eli’s commentary highlights the political drama unfolding in Rivers State, where allegiances seem to shift frequently. His remarks point to the complexities of Nigerian politics, where party defections, often seen as strategic, can be easily reversed or reinterpreted, depending on political pressures or personal interests. The analysts' views raise questions about the integrity of political actions and whether such flip-flopping undermines public trust in the political process. This development also underscores the challenges faced by parties and leaders in maintaining consistent support and loyalty within their ranks.