Wike Lets Defected Rivers Lawmakers Go, Stays Loyal to PDP

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike stated on Friday that 16 Rivers State lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party could leave without issue. He made the remark after inspecting a bridge project linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa districts in Abuja. Wike added that his group would keep partnering with the roughly 10 remaining PDP loyalists in the 27-member assembly.

The lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, switched to the All Progressives Congress during a plenary in Port Harcourt that day. They blamed deep PDP divisions for the move and vowed to support President Bola Tinubu’s vision.

Wike called the exits unfortunate but constitutional, tied to the party’s fractures. He noted the defectors never consulted him but stressed their freedom to choose.

– 16 or 17 lawmakers defected out of 27 total
– About 10 stayed with PDP

Wike affirmed his own PDP membership and called for party unity to rebuild opposition strength. He warned that unresolved chaos would only weaken the PDP further. The shifts highlight raw tensions in Rivers politics, where loyalties fray and dreams of harmony hang by a thread.