It Affected Me Personally’ – Wike Opens Up On Rivers Assembly Defections

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he was personally affected by the defection of 17 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, officially left the PDP for the APC on December 5, 2025, a move that further intensified political tensions in Rivers State, which had only recently come out of a six-month state of emergency. Shortly after, Governor Siminalayi Fubara also defected from the PDP to the APC amid the ongoing power struggle with Wike.

Addressing lawmakers at the Assembly Quarters on Saturday, Wike revealed that the mass defection took place without his knowledge or consultation. He expressed disappointment over the move but thanked the Speaker and remaining legislators for their loyalty.

Wike also cautioned the PDP leadership to be more vigilant, warning that internal disunity makes the party vulnerable to losing members to political rivals. He assured the lawmakers who stayed behind that they would not be abandoned, pledging continued support and insisting that he would not allow them to suffer for remaining loyal.