The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has harshly criticized members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing them as political puppets serving the interests of their “paymaster.”

This follows Friday’s mass defection, where sixteen lawmakers — including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule — officially dumped the PDP for the APC.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP accused the defectors of undermining democracy and acting as obstacles to legislative integrity.

According to the party, the lawmakers had previously attempted to defect but later reversed their decision, only to announce another defection. “These are individuals known to be doing the bidding of their paymaster and demigod,” the statement said.

“The Rivers State House of Assembly members have, through their conduct, proven themselves to be political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress. They will be remembered as enemies of democracy who brought ridicule to the legislature.”

The PDP described the move as nothing more than “a defection from APC to APC,” insisting that the lawmakers have long abandoned the ideals of the platform they claim to represent.

Ememobong added that the party would commence legal action to reclaim the mandate that the defecting lawmakers won under the PDP. “We will activate the provisions of the 1999 Constitution to recover the mandate gained under our banner, which they have now switched to another platform,” he said.

The party urged its members in Rivers State to remain steadfast as efforts continue to rebuild the PDP on the principles of fairness, inclusiveness, and equity.