The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn after Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe openly defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing his expulsion from the opposition party as “a huge joke.”
Speaking during an interview with TVC News on November 16, 2025, the lawmaker representing Cross River North faulted PDP leaders for what he called a poorly calculated and self-defeating move.
Jarigbe argued that the expulsion attempt plays directly into Wike’s hands, warning that the former Rivers State governor is likely to respond aggressively. 
“The expulsion of the FCT Minister, His Excellency Wike, is a huge joke because they’re giving him exactly what he wants,” he said. “That’s the recipe he needs, and he’s going to give it back to them, knowing the kind of person he is.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) senator maintained that PDP should have pursued dialogue and reconciliation rather than confrontation, noting that the party’s decision will further escalate the internal rift.
According to him, Wike is not contesting any election at the moment, yet he has become the target of leaders who secretly engage in the same political alliances they accuse him of.
“Many who claim Wike is destroying the PDP and supporting President Tinubu are hypocrites,” Jarigbe stated. “They do the same things secretly, while Wike does not.”
