Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) exercised their right of choice and are free to leave.
Wike, who spoke with journalists yesterday, said his political camp would continue to work with the lawmakers who remain in the PDP and have pledged their loyalty to the party.
PROMPTNEWS had earlier reported that 16 lawmakers, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, formally announced their defection to the APC during Friday’s plenary, citing internal issues within the PDP.
Reacting to the development, the former Rivers governor described the situation as regrettable but not surprising, noting that long-standing disputes within the PDP created the conditions that led to the mass exit.
“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.
“You will see that it’s not everybody who has left. I believe 16 or 17 of them have left out of 27.
“We still have a good number, about 10, and we will continue to work together. They never told me, but they have a right,” he said.
The defections have further heightened political tension in the state, with both major parties expected to intensify their strategic manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 election cycle.