Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are at liberty to do so, despite describing their departure as “unfortunate.”
Wike spoke to journalists on Friday after inspecting an ongoing interchange bridge project linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa in Abuja. He stressed that his political camp would continue working with lawmakers who chose to remain in the PDP.
According to him, internal divisions within the PDP contributed to the lawmakers’ exit.
“Well, it’s unfortunate. I have always said that everyone has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalised, and the Constitution allows members to leave when a party becomes factionalised,” Wike said in a statement released by his media aide, Lere Olayinka.
He noted that although 16 or 17 lawmakers out of 27 defected, about 10 remained, adding that “we will continue to work together.”
‘They Didn’t Inform Me’
Wike also denied having prior knowledge of the planned defections.
“They never told me, but they have a right,” he said.
He reaffirmed that he is still a member of the PDP and urged the party to resolve its internal disputes.
“I’m still in the PDP. Those who have stayed, we will continue to work together. I have told the party: put your house in order. If you don’t, the party will be the one to lose.”
Wike added that the PDP has failed to consolidate its position as a strong opposition, but maintained that those who left did so at their own discretion.
