A major political shift has occurred within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, as no fewer than 10,000 members have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors, who were drawn from across wards in Orokam and Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, include notable former lawmakers and serving exco of the PDP.
Leading the defectors in Ehaje II, Owukpa, was PDP stalwart Engr. Julius Inedu, who joined the APC alongside over 10,000 members.
Key figures among them were Hon. Michael Abakpa, a former lawmaker representing the constituency; Hon Michael Idoko, immediate past chairman of the PDP in Ehaje II; James Agene, the longest-serving PDP executive member since 1999; Hon Onoja Obute, immediate past deputy leader of the Ogbadibo Legislative Council from Orokam III; and the immediate past women leader of the PDP, and bother serving and former exco of the opposition party in the ward.
During the defection ceremony held in Ekere Owuka, Engr. Inedu and others symbolically set their PDP membership cards ablaze, signaling their commitment to their new party.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Inedu expressed their newfound hope in the APC’s vision of development.
“Today, I want to declare that I have seen the light of progress. I have received the gospel of development.