Defected Rivers Lawmakers Acted Within Their Rights — Wike

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has said the 16 Rivers State lawmakers who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party acted within their rights, insisting he will continue working with the remaining PDP members who stayed back in the Assembly.

Wike stated this on Friday while addressing journalists after inspecting the ongoing construction of an interchange bridge connecting Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi and Gwarimpa in Abuja.

Sixteen lawmakers, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, announced their defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress during a plenary session of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Citing divisions in the PDP, Amaewhule said he was now a member of the APC and would “join hands with Mr President,” adding that the President “means well for the country.”

Reacting, Wike described the development as “unfortunate,” saying the party’s internal crisis contributed to their exit.

He said, “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 further stated that he remained in the PDP and urged the party to put its house in order.

“I’m still in the PDP. So those who have remained, we’ll continue to work together. And I have said to the party, put your house in order. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that will lose.”

Wike added that the remaining PDP lawmakers must work together to remain relevant.

“And we still ask the party to work together to see how the remaining members will be a relevant opposition. But they chose not to. So for me, those who have left are free. But those who remain in the party, we will continue to work together,” he said.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.

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