Benue Lawmaker Ojema Ojotu Defects To APC from PDP
Ojema Ojotu, the House of Representatives member for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in Benue State, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu made the announcement during Tuesday’s plenary session, reading Ojotu’s letter to the House of Representatives.
With Ojotu’s defection, the APC now controls all 11 federal constituencies in Benue State, marking complete dominance of the state’s representation in the House.
In his letter, Ojotu cited the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP as the reason for his departure. “After consulting my constituents, family, and political associates, I have decided to leave the PDP for the APC,” he stated.
The move immediately sparked controversy. Deputy Minority Leader Aliyu Madaki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party invoked Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, urging that Ojotu’s seat be declared vacant for leaving the party that sponsored his election.
House Majority Leader Ibrahim Halims countered the argument, maintaining that a member may leave a party if it is embroiled in unresolved crises that threaten their political future.
Deputy Speaker Kalu welcomed Ojotu to the APC and assured him of the party’s full support.
Ojotu’s defection is part of a broader wave of lawmakers moving to the APC in 2025, a trend that opposition parties have attributed to pressure from the ruling government — claims President Bola Tinubu has denied, urging other parties to address their internal issues.
