Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has attributed the defection of the Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker and 15 other lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to internal factionalism raging within the opposition party.
Speaking to the press after reviewing infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike acknowledged he was not consulted prior to their switch but emphasized their action falls within constitutional allowances amid the party’s fractures.
“It’s unfortunate. I have always said 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, members are allowed to leave,” he explained.
Despite the defections, Wike asserted his loyalty to the PDP remains intact.
“I’m still in the PDP. You will see that it’s not everybody that 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,” he said, highlighting that a significant portion of lawmakers remain.
Wike further called on PDP leadership to resolve ongoing disputes, stressing internal discord weakens the party’s influence.
“At the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it is the party that is losing. Those who left are free, but those who have remained in the party, we will continue to work together,” he remarked.
Addressing recent false reports of his arrest in France, Wike dismissed them as politically motivated distractions.
“Well, what is important is that you remain focused. Like you said, they were the ones that were arrested,” he said with a touch of humor.
He recounted previous occasions where rumours about his health and location were fabricated to divert attention.
“Last time they said I was sick and flown overseas. This time, they said I was arrested in France. I’m doing my job,” Wike affirmed.
His priority remains delivering on the mandate entrusted to him by President Bola Tinubu.
“As far as my boss, who is the President, is happy with what I am doing, and I am focused on delivering the mandate, people will say all kinds of things,” he stated.
Wike believes consistent progress in his work will eventually quiet critics.
“When they carry these kinds of lies, at a point people will no longer read the junk they tell. Critics will always try to play politics, critics will always not be happy that you are doing well. So just focus. Do not be distracted at all,” he advised.
Credit: The Sun