Rivers Assembly: I’m still in PDP — Wike says, dismisses France arrest rumours

ABUJA — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says 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) is a consequence of deepening internal crises within the PDP.

Speaking after inspecting road projects in Abuja, Wike explained that the lawmakers acted within their constitutional rights since the party is currently factionalised.

“It’s unfortunate, but everyone has the right to choose. The party is divided, and when a party is factionalised, the Constitution allows members to exit,” he said.

Wike, however, stressed that he has no plans to leave the PDP.
“I am still in the PDP. Only about 16 or 17 members have left out of 27. We still have around 10 loyal members, and we will continue working together,” he noted.

He urged the party leadership to resolve the crisis, warning that failure to do so would further weaken the PDP.

Commenting on viral reports that he had been arrested in France, Wike dismissed the claims as politically motivated falsehoods.
“We were inspecting Kubwa Road on Saturday. People just want to create distractions. They said I was sick and flown abroad; now they claim I was arrested in France. I am doing my job,” he said.

Wike added that his focus remains delivering on the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu.
“As long as the President is satisfied with my performance, people can say whatever they want,” he stated.

He maintained that consistent performance will silence critics in due time.
“At some point, people will get tired of reading these lies. Critics will always try to play politics. Just stay focused and ignore distractions,” he said.