The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the 16 lawmakers who recently defected from the Rivers State House of Assembly are free to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while pledging continued support for members who remain loyal to the party.
Wike made the remarks on Friday during an inspection of the ongoing construction of an interchange bridge linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa in Abuja.
The defection involved 16 lawmakers, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who announced their switch from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a plenary session of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Amaewhule cited internal divisions within the PDP as the reason for the move, adding that he would “join hands with Mr President,” describing President Bola Tinubu as someone “who means well for the country.”
Reacting to the development, Wike described it as “unfortunate” but acknowledged the lawmakers’ constitutional right to leave a factionalised party.
“Well, it’s unfortunate. I have always said that everybody has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalised. And the requirement of the Constitution is that when a party is factionalised, they are allowed to leave the party,” Wike said.
He noted that not all lawmakers had left, highlighting that about 10 members remain in the PDP and will continue to work together.
“I’m still in the PDP. So those who have remained, we’ll continue to work together. And I have said to the party, put your house in order. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that will lose,” Wike added.
He urged the party to strengthen internal cohesion to remain a relevant opposition while acknowledging the decision of those who chose to defect.
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