2016 in retrospect: Top Idoma politicians who dumped their parties
By Vera Enenche, James Amedu and Ladi Ogbe
No doubt, 2016 witnessed a lot of political dramas in the Idoma community. The year saw many top politicians dumping their ‘mother’ parties for another.
In this carefully selected list, Idoma Voice x-rays top Idoma politicians who dumped their parties in 2016.
Chief Steve Lawani (From PDP to APC)
His defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP came to many as a rude shock, especially politicial observers.
Having served as the Deputy Governor of Benue State on the platform of the PDP, Chief Steve Lawani, otherwise known as Ochagwuba K’Idoma announced his defection the the ruling All Prpgressives Congress ahead of the February 20 senatorial rerun in Benue South.
The Otukpa-born soft-spoken politician who contested for the governorship ticket on the platform of the same party has not really come out to explain why he dumped the PDP.
Prof Jerry Agada
Prof Jerry Agada served as a minister under the PDP-led government in 2007. in fact, he had jostled for the party’s governrship ticket in 2007 but lost it to Gabriel Suswam.
However, few weeks to the Benue south rerun, Agada pitched his political tent with the APC. He anchored his reason on the fact that the party did not value him.
The literary icon, was until hid defection as described as Senator David Mark’s right hand man
Baba Odangla
Until his defection to the All Progressives Congress, Baba Odangla was a card-carrying member of the PDP for years. Speaking shortly after his joined the APC Otukpo, Odangla said he wanted to be part of the change agenda of the Buhari-led government.
Usman Abubakar (Young Alhaji)
His defection was the most-talked about in Benue south. Despite his age-long battle with former senate president, David Mark, former Deputy Guber candidate, Usman Abubakar shocked his fans when he announced his defection to the PDP.
Before his shocking exodus from the APC, Usman claimed the former governor of the state, George Akume had turned the party to ‘Akume Private Company.’
He then joined the Accord Party and eventually PDP where he stood gallantly behind Mark during the rerun eelier in the year.
Chief Ameh Ebute
Also, former senate president, Ameh Ebute pitched his tent with the APC. The elder stateman said he was no longer comfortable with the leadership style of the PDP.
Adah Chenge
Owukpa-born former guber aspirant, Ada Chenge was no doubt one of the persons that benefited greatly from the government of the PDP.
Chenge was appointed the MD of Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority under Suswam.
Following failed effort to govern the state on the platform of the PDP, the outspoken political Amazon dumped her mother party.
Gen Chris Garuba
2016 will not forget in a hurry how former military general, Gen Chris Abutu Garuba trashed the membership card of the PDP.
The former warlord said he was tired of the former ruling party.
James Okefe
The Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. James Okefe also abandoned his original party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a letter read on the floor of the Assembly by the Speaker, Hon. Ikyange, Okefe anchored his decision to defect to the APC on section 109 sub-section 1 (g) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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Treasure Orokpo
A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.
