BREAKING: Benue Rep, Ojema Ojotu, Defects from PDP to APC

A member of the House of Representatives, Ojema Ojotu, who represents Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made during Tuesday’s plenary session by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who read the lawmaker’s defection letter on the floor of the House.

Before Ojotu’s move, the APC already held 10 of the 11 federal seats representing Benue State in the Green Chamber. His defection now gives the ruling party complete control of all the state’s federal constituencies.

In his letter, Ojotu attributed his decision to the persistent internal crises within the PDP, saying his defection followed due consultation with his constituents, family, and political associates.

“After wide consultations with my constituents, family members, and political associates, I have decided to resign from the PDP and join the APC,” the letter read in part.

However, Ojotu’s defection drew objections from the opposition bench.
The Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), cited Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, arguing that Ojotu’s seat should be declared vacant since there was no evidence of a division within the PDP.

“Mr. Speaker, the law is clear — a member’s seat should be declared vacant if he defects from the party that sponsored him to the House, except where there is a division in that party,” Madaki argued.

Responding, the House Majority Leader, Ibrahim Halims, countered the objection, invoking Order 7 to defend Ojotu’s action.
He maintained that unresolved conflicts within a political party justify a member’s decision to seek stability elsewhere.

“Where a party is deeply divided and unable to resolve its crisis, a member is entitled to protect his political future by moving to another platform,” Halims stated.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Speaker Kalu welcomed Ojotu to the APC fold, 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.