The political landscape in Rivers State shifted sharply on Friday after 17 members of the State House of Assembly dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development, which many observed has drawn reactions from key political figures, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The mass defection was announced on the floor of the Assembly, marking a major change in the state’s legislative balance.
Moreover, the move has further deepened internal cracks within the PDP, especially as the 2027 election cycle gradually draws closer.
During plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule led the lawmakers in formally declaring their intention to join the APC.
According to Amaewhule, the factional crisis within the PDP influenced the group’s decision.
He added that joining the ruling party would enable them to “join hands with Mr President,” whom he said “means well for the country.”
The defection has left the PDP with roughly nine or ten lawmakers in the 26-member Assembly.
Reacting to the situation during an inspection of an ongoing interchange project connecting Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi, and Gwarimpa, Wike described the move as “unfortunate.”
However, he stressed that the legislators acted within the constitutional provisions guiding defections.
In his words: “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.”
Furthermore, Wike noted that the defection was not total and highlighted that several lawmakers still remain in the PDP.
“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 said.
He also reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, saying: “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 PDP must strengthen its internal structure to remain a relevant opposition force.
“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.”
