Ojema Ojotu defects from PDP to APC, citing internal crises. With his move, APC gains full control of Benue’s House of Reps seats
Ojema Ojotu, the lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a decisive moment in the political landscape of Benue.
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The announcement came during Tuesday’s plenary session of the House of Representatives, presided over by Deputy Speaker Hon Benjamin Kalu, who read the defection letter on the floor of the Green Chamber.
With Ojotu’s defection, the APC now controls all 11 House of Representatives seats in Benue State, consolidating its dominance in the North Central region.
In his letter, Ojotu cited the persistent internal crisis within the PDP as the reason for his departure. He stated that his decision followed consultations with his constituents, family, and political allies.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to dump the PDP for the APC,” Ojotu wrote.
However, the defection was met with sharp criticism from opposition ranks. The Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki of the NNPP, raised a Constitutional Point of Order, urging the House to declare Ojotu’s seat vacant under Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution.
Madaki argued that a lawmaker’s seat should be declared vacant if they leave the party that sponsored their election — unless there is a division within that party.
The point was swiftly countered by House Majority Leader Ibrahim Halims, who invoked Order 7 to defend Ojotu’s move.
“Where a party is unable to resolve its crisis, a member has the right to protect his political future,” Halims argued.
Despite the dispute, Deputy Speaker Kalu welcomed Ojotu into the ruling party fold, assuring him of the APC’s support.
Ojema Ojotu, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Inland Waterways, becomes the latest high-profile lawmaker to exit the opposition PDP, further fuelling debates about the party’s cohesion and future viability.
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The development is another blow to the PDP’s political grip in the region, as the APC continues to capitalise on defections to expand its legislative stronghold nationwide.
