The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the 17 lawmakers who recently left the Rivers State House of Assembly are at liberty to exit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if they wish.
On Friday, 16 lawmakers, including the Speaker of the House, officially defected from the PDP to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). The move was attributed to internal divisions within the PDP. House Speaker Ikuinyi Amaewhule, one of the defectors, confirmed his shift to the APC, expressing his intention to align with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he said “aims to serve the nation positively.”
Speaking to journalists after inspecting the ongoing construction of a major interchange connecting Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa in Abuja, Wike described the defections as “unfortunate” but emphasized the constitutional right of lawmakers to leave a factionalized party.
“Well, it’s unfortunate. I have always said that everybody has the right to make a choice,” Wike remarked. “The party is fully factionalized, and the Constitution permits members to leave in such circumstances. Not everyone has departed; out of 27 lawmakers, around 16 or 17 have left, leaving about 10 still committed to the PDP. We will continue to collaborate with them.”
The former Rivers State Governor reiterated his loyalty to the PDP and called on party leadership to restore unity. He urged the party to organize itself effectively to remain a strong opposition force in the state.
“I’m still in the PDP, and we will continue to work with those who have stayed. I have consistently advised the party to put its house in order because, in the end, disunity only weakens the party. We encourage cooperation among remaining members to ensure the PDP remains a relevant opposition. Those who have left are free to make their choice, but our focus will be on strengthening the party and working with those who remain,” Wike added.
The minister’s comments highlight both the challenges facing the PDP in Rivers State and the importance of party unity as defections continue to reshape the political landscape.
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