The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed that he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite his purported expulsion by the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the recent defection of 16 Rivers State lawmakers loyal to him to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike made the clarification yesterday while inspecting the Maitama–Gishiri–Jahi–Gwarimpa interchange bridge and other ongoing road projects in Abuja.

Reacting to the lawmakers’ move, he said they neither consulted him nor required his permission, noting that they acted within their constitutional rights.

“I’m still in the PDP. Those who have remained, we’ll continue to work together. And I have told the party: put your house in order. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t, it’s the party that will lose,” Wike said.

The minister stressed that not all 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected. “I believe 16 or 17 of them have left… We still have quite a good number, about 10, and we will continue to work together,” he added.

Wike described the defections as “very unfortunate” but insisted that everyone has the right to determine their political direction. He attributed the development to persistent divisions within the PDP, noting that the party’s constitution allows members to leave when such internal conflicts exist.

The Speaker of the Rivers Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, who led the defecting lawmakers, announced the move during plenary, citing divisions in the PDP and expressing support for President Bola Tinubu, whom he said “means well for the country.”

Wike said he had repeatedly urged the PDP leadership to mend its internal rifts, warning that failure to do so would weaken the party. He added that efforts were ongoing to ensure that the remaining members close ranks and remain a viable opposition force.