Dugeri APC-to-PDP switch brings Benue Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Dugeri into the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections
Thomas Dugeri, Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, formally joined the Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday, 9 August 2026, in Abuja, where former Benue State Governor and PDP leader Samuel Ortom received the lawmaker after his defection from the All Progressives Congress.
Also read: Adeleke Warns Oyetola Over ‘Threat’ to Osun Election
Dugeri, who represents Kwande West State Constituency, was presented to Ortom at the former governor’s residence by Adzua Ashongo, the PDP deputy chairman in Benue State, during Dugeri’s first meeting with the former governor since announcing his move to the opposition party.
The development adds a notable political shift in Benue ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Dugeri occupying one of the most influential positions in the state legislature.
Dugeri expressed appreciation to Ortom and other PDP leaders for welcoming him and his supporters, while also thanking party members in Kwande and across Benue for what he described as an encouraging reception.
“I remain committed to the PDP and will work with other party leaders and members to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections,” Dugeri said.
He said his decision was driven by his determination to work with the PDP and other stakeholders towards the party’s objectives in the next election.
Ortom welcomed Dugeri and his supporters, assuring them that the PDP would provide equal opportunities for both new members and those who had remained with the party.
The former governor described the PDP as a broad political family in which every member has a role to play, while urging Dugeri and other party members to work collectively towards rebuilding the party and challenging for power in Benue in 2027.
Dugeri’s move is significant not only because of his position in the Assembly but also because of his recent role in the state’s legislative affairs.
The Benue State House of Assembly appointed Dugeri as Majority Leader in September 2025 after dissolving its previous leadership structure.
The reshuffle retained Speaker Alfred Emberga and Deputy Speaker Lami Danladi while new principal officers were appointed.
As Majority Leader, Dugeri has remained active in legislative proceedings throughout 2026.
In March, he led debate on legislation concerning the proposed Benue State Traffic Management Authority and took part in the Assembly’s consideration of revenue harmonisation legislation.
He also chaired an Assembly committee established in March 2026 to scrutinise the income and expenditure of Benue’s 23 local government council chairmen.
His political positioning has not always been without friction with the executive arm of the state government.
In August 2025, while still an APC member, Dugeri supported the Benue Assembly’s decision to halt the screening of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commissioner nominees until the executive addressed concerns previously raised by lawmakers.
He argued that the Assembly had constitutional responsibilities that should be respected.
His subsequent move to the PDP therefore comes after a period in which he has played a prominent role in the Assembly’s internal affairs and its relationship with the state executive.
The timing also places the defection within the increasingly important political build-up to 2027.
For the PDP, attracting a sitting Assembly Majority Leader could strengthen its presence in the state and give the party another experienced political figure as it seeks to regain influence in Benue.
For Dugeri, the switch marks a significant change in political alignment.
His decision will also be closely watched in Kwande West, where he represents constituents as the political landscape begins to take shape ahead of the next general elections.
Ortom, who governed Benue from 2015 to 2023, has remained an influential figure within the state’s PDP structure.
His reception of Dugeri signals the former governor’s willingness to publicly embrace the new entrant and his supporters.
Dugeri said he was ready to work with existing PDP members rather than treat his arrival as an isolated political move.
The former governor similarly called for unity, stressing that both longstanding members and new entrants would have roles to play in strengthening the party.
The immediate effect of the defection on the balance of power inside the Benue Assembly remains to be seen.
Dugeri’s continued position as Majority Leader, and any possible changes to the House’s political structure following his move, were not detailed in the announcement.
Also read: Adeleke Warns Oyetola Over ‘Threat’ to Osun Election
For now, the Dugeri APC-to-PDP switch represents a fresh development in Benue’s political realignment, coming less than a year before the 2027 election cycle gathers greater momentum.
