The crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly took a new dimension on Monday with twenty-seven members leaving the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the state for the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC).
The defecting lawmakers cited the deepening crisis and the attendant division within the PDP as the overriding reason for their action.
The Daily Crucible learnt that the affected lawmakers are believed to be those loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
It was learnt further that the lawmakers held plenary around 8am on Monday where the decision was taken to leave the PDP and headed to APC.
While the meeting lasted, a tight security was mounted at the entrance of the Assembly complex along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt to secure them and the property.
But the rattled Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has summoned an emergency executive council meeting.
The meeting is likely going to discuss the defection of the 27 lawmakers of the State House of Assembly from the PDP to the APC.