A member of the House of Representatives representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Ojema Ojotu, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection was announced during Tuesday’s plenary session by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who read Ojotu’s letter of defection on the floor of the Green Chamber.
Until now, the APC held 10 of the 11 federal constituencies in Benue State. With Ojotu’s move, the ruling party now holds all House of Representatives seats from the state, marking a significant political gain for the APC in the North Central region.
In his letter, Ojotu explained that his decision followed prolonged internal crises within the PDP, which, according to him, had made it impossible for the party to function effectively.
“After wide consultations with my constituents, family members, and political associates, I have decided to resign my membership of the PDP and join the APC,” Ojotu stated.
However, his defection did not go unchallenged. The Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Aliyu Madaki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), raised a Point of Order, citing Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that a lawmaker should vacate his seat if he defects from the party that sponsored his election, except in cases of a division within the party.
“Mr. Speaker, I urge that Hon. Ojotu’s seat be declared vacant, as there is no verifiable division in the PDP,” Madaki argued.
But the House Majority Leader, Hon. Ibrahim Halims, countered the motion, invoking Order 7 of the House Rules. He argued that persistent and unresolved crises within a political party are valid grounds for defection.
“When a political party is engulfed in unresolved internal disputes that threaten the political survival of its members, it is only natural for them to seek refuge in a more stable platform,” Halims said.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu welcomed Ojotu to the ruling APC, describing his defection as a “homecoming” and assuring him of the party’s support.
“On behalf of the leadership and members of the House, I welcome Hon. Ojotu to the APC family. We assure you of our total cooperation and look forward to working together for the good of your constituents and the nation,” Kalu said.
With Ojotu’s defection, the APC now commands total dominance of Benue’s representation in the National Assembly’s lower chamber — a development analysts say could reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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