The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) are “free to leave,” citing deep internal divisions within PDP as justification.
Wike made the remarks on Friday in Abuja while inspecting the construction of a major interchange bridge connecting Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa. The mass defection was announced on the same day, when the Speaker of the Rivers Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 15 others formally dumped the PDP for the ruling APC during a plenary session.
Addressing journalists, the FCT Minister described the development as “unfortunate,” but maintained that the defectors have a legitimate right to their decision. “Everybody has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalised. And the Constitution requires that when a party is factionalised, they are allowed to leave the party,” he said.
Wike went on to note that not all lawmakers in the Rivers Assembly defected, highlighting that of 27 members, roughly 16 or 17 left, leaving about 10loyal. “They never told me, but they have a right,” he reiterated. His camp, he promised, will continue cooperating with those who stayed.
Though he conceded to the exodus, the former Rivers State governor affirmed that he remains within the PDP. He urged party leaders to quickly resolve internal crises, warning that failure to act would further erode the party’s relevance. “Put your house in order,” Wike urged, stressing that the remaining PDP members still have a role to play as a viable opposition. 
Samuel Aina