Benue Lawmaker Ojema Ojotu dumps PDP for APC

A member of the House of Representatives representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in Benue State, Hon. Ojema Ojotu, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made during Tuesday’s plenary session, where the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, read Ojotu’s defection letter to members of the Green Chamber.

In the letter, Ojotu attributed his decision to persistent internal crises within the PDP, which he said had made it difficult for the party to function effectively. He explained that his move to the APC came after wide consultations with his constituents, family members, and political associates.

Following the announcement, the House Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), raised a Point of Order, urging the presiding officer to declare Ojotu’s seat vacant. However, his motion was countered by the House Majority Leader, Ibrahim Halims, who cited Order 7, stating that when a political party fails to resolve its internal conflicts, affected members have the right to leave to protect their political future.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker welcomed Ojotu to the APC, assuring him of the party’s full support as he continues his legislative duties.

Ojotu currently serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Inland Waterways. His defection means that the APC now holds all 11 federal House of Representatives seats from Benue State, consolidating the ruling party’s dominance in the North Central state.