Rivers Assembly Members Defected Without My Consent — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that the 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) did so without consulting him.

Wike made the disclosure on Saturday while speaking at the Assembly Quarters, noting that the lawmakers’ decision personally affected him.

On December 5, 2025, 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, defected from the PDP to the APC. The move escalated political tension in the state, which had only recently emerged from a six-month emergency rule.

Shortly after the lawmakers’ defection, Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, also left the PDP for the APC amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the former ruling party.

Addressing the lawmakers on Saturday, Wike expressed disappointment over the development, stating that the defection happened without prior consultation.

“I want to thank you, Mr Speaker, even though it affected me when 17 of you moved to the APC without consulting me and left 10 other members here,” he said.

He attributed the situation to internal challenges within the PDP and warned party leaders about the consequences of poor internal management.

“This is what I have been telling my National Chairman: keep your house in order so that enemies will not come and take your people. When you are not vigilant, they take your people,” Wike added.

The minister assured the remaining lawmakers who have not defected of his continued support, promising that they would not be abandoned.

“Those of you still remaining, whenever you choose, I am here. What I will not do is allow you to suffer in your lives,” he said.