Wike Affirms Loyalty to PDP Amid Defection of Rivers Lawmakers

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday reaffirmed his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a few hours after 16 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defecting lawmakers, including the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, announced their departure from the PDP at a plenary session on Friday, citing internal divisions within the party as the reason for their defection.

Amaewhule said he would henceforth align with the APC and cooperate with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he described as having the nation’s best interests at heart.

Reacting to the defection, Wike, who was in Abuja inspecting ongoing road projects, said the lawmakers acted within their rights, although they did not consult him prior to their decision.

“I am still in the PDP, and it is not everybody that has left. I believe 16 or 17 of them have left out of 27. We still have quite a good number; about 10, and we will continue to work together,” Wike said.

“They never told me, but they have a right to do so. For me, those who left were free to do so, and for those who remained in the party, we will continue to work together,” he added.

Describing the defection as “very unfortunate,” the minister blamed the move on the current factionalised state of the PDP, noting that the party’s constitution allows members to exit if internal divisions persist.

He recalled advising the party leadership to unify the party, warning that failure to do so would be detrimental to the PDP’s relevance.

Wike said efforts were ongoing to strengthen the remaining members of the party and ensure they continue to serve as a credible opposition.