Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has commented on the defection of 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that they are free to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Wike said his camp will continue to work with lawmakers who remain loyal to the party.

The defection, which included Speaker Martins Amaewhule, saw the legislators move from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a plenary session of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Reacting to the development, Wike described it as unfortunate but noted that the party’s internal crisis contributed to the exit.

“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.

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.