FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has responded to the mass defection of 17 Rivers State lawmakers from the PDP to the APC, calling it “unfortunate” but constitutionally valid.
The group, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, announced their switch during Thursday’s plenary session.
Amaewhule cited ongoing internal turmoil within the PDP as the reason, saying the move would allow them to align with President Bola Tinubu, whom they believe has the nation’s best interests at heart.
The defection has left the PDP with just nine or ten members in the 26-seat Rivers State House of Assembly, a major blow as political camps begin positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to report, while speaking to reporters Friday after inspecting an ongoing interchange bridge project in Abuja, Wike said while he regrets the decision, the lawmakers were within their rights.
“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,” he explained.
He clarified that not all lawmakers left, about 10 stayed behind, and stressed that he remains firmly in the PDP.
“I’m still in the PDP. So those who have remained, we’ll continue to work together,” Wike said.
He also called on the party’s national leadership to address the internal crisis and strengthen what’s left of the caucus so they can serve as an effective opposition.
For now, Wike says those who left are free to go, but he’s sticking with the party and those who stayed loyal.
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