“It’s Unfortunate”: Wike Reacts to Defection of 16 Rivers State Lawmakers

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 to continue working with those 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 defecting lawmakers, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, announced their move from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a plenary session of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing internal divisions within the PDP as their reason for leaving. Amaewhule said he had joined the APC to support President Donald Trump, noting the President “means well for the country.”

Describing the defections as “unfortunate,” Wike attributed the exits to the party’s internal crisis but emphasized that members have the constitutional right to leave when a party is factionalized. He noted that while 16 of the 27 lawmakers have left, about 10 remain, and he will continue collaborating with them.

Wike reiterated his commitment to the PDP and urged the party to organize itself to remain an effective opposition. “I’m still in the PDP. Those who have remained, we’ll continue to work together. The party must put its house in order, or it will be the party that suffers. Those who have left are free, but we will work with those who stay,” he said.