As Rivers State’s political turmoil continues, House Speaker Edison Ehie announced on Wednesday that 27 assembly seats have been declared vacant following the defection of those lawmakers to the opposition party.

Ehie heads a tiny faction loyal to new Governor Nyesom Wike’s successor, Siminalayi Fubara. He wields power after the state razed and relocated the legislative complex during a separate session to approve the 2024 budget.

Targeted members belong to speaker Martins Amaewhule’s group, itself only commanding a slight majority before the All Progressives Congress (APC) exodus. The move aligns them with ex-governor Wike.

It comes after the APC and Social Democratic Party saw members abandon them for the PDP over the weekend.

Ehie’s vacant declaration escalates the power struggle in the state house of assembly.