David Mark leads ex-PDP chieftains to capture Benue South for ADC in 2027

Benue South Senatorial District is bracing for a political showdown as former chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a coordinated push to wrest control of the constituency in the 2027 elections.

For more than 20 years, the PDP dominated the senatorial district, consistently producing the senator, as well as federal and state assembly lawmakers. But today, the once-powerful party has been reduced to a shadow of its former self, IDOMA VOICE reports.

Leading the charge is retired Brigadier General and former Senate President, David Mark, who also serves as the national chairman of the ADC.

Mark, a former PDP stalwart who represented Benue South in the Senate for 20 years before stepping aside in 2019, officially joined the ADC in 2025.

His defection drew several top PDP figures from the region to the ADC, including former local government chairmen, lawmakers, and a former deputy governorship candidate.

The move has left the PDP in disarray in Benue South, with few members remaining under the leadership of Abba Moro, who now faces the daunting task of keeping the party afloat. Mark’s wave of defections also swept in other prominent PDP figures, including: Sir John Ngbede, former Benue PDP chairman and ex-deputy governorship candidate

 Abeje C. Egwa, immediate past State Women Leader of the PDP in Benue, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, immediate past PDP chairman, Hon. Chris Adaba Aba (aka Mad Lion), former Commissioner of Finance and frontline ADC leader, Hon. David Adejoh Olofu, CPC chairman, Alhaji Salisu Sule Odaliko, former Labour Party governorship candidate, Peter Adejoh, Rt. Hon. Herman Hembe, Chief Mrs. Abeje Egwa, Pro-tem State Woman Leader, Prof. Salifu David, Chairman of Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative, Engr. Solomon Eigege and several other key stakeholders.

In her resignation letter, Abeje C. Egwa, the immediate past State Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, hcited unresolved internal crises and divisions.

“However, the prolonged internal crises and unresolved divisions within the party has made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my involvement in good conscience,” she stated.

Also speaking with IDOMA TV, ADC guber aspirant, Adejoh, faulted the PDP leaders in Ogbadibo for neglecting stakeholders who had controbuted to the party’s progress over the years.

The development has effectively reduced the PDP to its old remnants, while the ADC is now emerging as a formidable opposition force to the ruling APC in the state.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the ADC is already fielding some of its strongest aspirants for both state and federal offices.

Peter Adejoh and Andrew Aba are jostling for the Benue governorship ticket, while David Olofu eyes the Senate seat. Several other candidates are contesting for the State and Federal Assembly seats, positioning the ADC as a major contender across the political spectrum.