Wike’s Former Deputy Dumps PDP, Defects to APC
By Erewunmi Peace
A former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Banigo, who previously served as deputy governor under former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, announced her defection during a plenary session at the Nigerian Senate.
Her letter of defection was read on the floor of the Senate, where she cited the lingering internal crisis within the PDP as a major reason for her decision to leave the party.
Banigo currently represents Rivers West Senatorial District in the Senate and stated that her move to the APC would enable her to better support the policies and development agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Political observers say the development is another significant shift in the political landscape of Rivers State, especially amid ongoing political realignments within major parties ahead of future elections.
Banigo served as deputy governor of Rivers State between 2015 and 2023 during the administration of Nyesom Wike before moving on to represent Rivers West in the Senate.
