Governor Fubara’s Ally, Manuchim Umezuruike, Defects From APC To ADC

Hon. Manuchim Umezuruike, member representing Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has dumped the All Progressives Congress for the African Democratic Congress.

The lawmaker is currently in Abuja attending the ADC national convention, where he was spotted taking photographs with the Rivers State chairman of the party, Engr. Chukwudi Dimkpa. This marks his second major defection in less than five months.

Umezuruike had joined the APC in December 2025 alongside three other Rivers lawmakers — Hon. Boniface Emerengwa, Hon. Awaji Abiante and Hon. Boma Goodhead — to back Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s push for control of the party structure in the state. At the time, the move was seen as a strategic alignment after Fubara himself switched to the APC.

The four had earlier left their original parties — Umezuruike from the Labour Party and the others from the PDP — during the height of the Rivers political crisis. That crisis, which pitched Fubara against his predecessor and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, triggered widespread defections across the state assembly and National Assembly.

Political observers in Rivers now believe the latest switch signals growing unease among Fubara’s allies. Sources close to the situation told NaijaChoice News that none of the four federal lawmakers may get return tickets in the next election cycle, allegedly because of their firm support for the governor over Wike.

The development comes as political realignments continue across Rivers State ahead of future polls. Analysts say the ADC could emerge as an alternative platform for politicians seeking to distance themselves from the APC-PDP feud that has dominated the state’s politics for years.