Wike breaks silence on Rivers Lawmakers’ defection, blames PDP factional crisis

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has attributed the defection of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and 15 other lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deepening internal divisions within the PDP.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting key road projects in Abuja, Wike said he was not briefed by the lawmakers before their decision but maintained that they acted within constitutional limits given the party’s state of disarray.

“It’s unfortunate. I’ve always said that everyone has the right to choose. The party is clearly factionalised. And when a party is in that condition, the Constitution allows members to leave,” he stated.

Wike reaffirmed his own continued loyalty to the PDP, noting that not all lawmakers had defected.

“I’m still in the PDP. It’s not everyone that has left. Sixteen or seventeen out of twenty-seven have moved. We still have about ten committed members, and we will continue to work with them,” he said.

He urged the PDP’s national leadership to urgently address internal grievances to prevent further decline, warning that unresolved conflicts would cost the party its strength and unity.

“At the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, the party suffers. Those who left are free to do so, but we who remain will keep working,” he added.

Wike also dismissed recent rumours that he had been arrested in France, describing them as politically motivated attempts to distract him from his duties.

“People like to spread distractions. Last time, they said I was sick and flown abroad. Now it’s that I was arrested in France. I’m here doing my job,” he said, adding that staying focused on delivering results remains his priority.

He emphasised that his commitment is to President Bola Tinubu’s expectations and the mandate entrusted to him as FCT Minister.

“So long as the President is satisfied with my work, I will stay focused. Critics will always talk, but consistency in delivery will silence them,” he said.

Wike has stepped up project inspections in recent months, pushing infrastructural development as a major pillar of his administration’s agenda under the Federal Government’s renewed focus on security and development.