Wike affirms PDP membership, describes Rivers lawmakers’ defection as ‘unfortunate’
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has affirmed his continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rejecting claims that he has been expelled by the party’s national leadership.
His statement comes amid a wave of defections by lawmakers in Rivers State, which has significantly altered the composition of the state House of Assembly.
Speaking on Friday while inspecting the ongoing construction of a major interchange connecting Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa in Abuja, Wike described the mass defection of 17 lawmakers, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “unfortunate,” but emphasised that the move was within their constitutional rights.
“They have a right to make their choice.
“Yes, 16 or 17 members have left, but not everybody has. About 10 are still in the PDP, and we will continue to work with them, ” he told reporters.
A statement from his media aide, Lere Olayinka, reinforced Wike’s stance, pledging full support for the remaining PDP lawmakers in Rivers State.
Addressing speculation that he may have been involved in orchestrating the defections, Wike firmly denied any prior knowledge of the lawmakers’ decision.
“They never told me.“But they are entitled to make their own decisions, ” he said.
He reiterated his commitment to the PDP, urging the party’s leadership to resolve internal disputes before further damage occurs.
“I have repeatedly told the party to put its house in order. If they don’t, the PDP will be the one to suffer for it,” Wike warned, highlighting the need for the party to remain a credible opposition force.
The wave of resignations occurred earlier on Friday during plenary at the Rivers State House of Assembly, where Speaker Amaewhule led 16 colleagues in formally announcing their switch to the APC.
The defecting lawmakers cited deep divisions within the PDP as their reason for leaving, claiming the party could no longer provide a stable political platform.
Amaewhule also pledged support for President Bola Tinubu, praising the President’s efforts to address national security challenges and extend goodwill to Rivers State.
With these defections, the APC now holds a majority in the Rivers State House of Assembly, leaving only 10 PDP members.
The PDP has been grappling with internal strife since the 2023 presidential election.
In Rivers State, tensions escalated into a bitter power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike, leading to attempted impeachments, the partial demolition of the Assembly complex, and a brief imposition of emergency rule.
Although President Tinubu later reinstated suspended political office holders, factional disputes within the party have persisted.
Wike’s remarks on Friday underscore the widening rift within the PDP, highlighting the challenges the party faces in maintaining cohesion amid defections and internal power struggles.
