Lilian Adoyi-Ofiebor: ‘Political tsunami’ set to hit APC in Otukpo/Ohimini as mass exodus looms

Candiate for the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, Ambassador Lilian Adoyi-Ofiebor, has declared that a “political tsunami” is gathering in the constituency, signalling a possible wave of defections from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Adoyi-Ofiebor, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP, made the declaration while mobilising support ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election. Her move to the PDP followed her earlier campaign on the APC platform.

In a message to supporters, she said the political tide was shifting and suggested that the PDP was preparing to receive a “major wave” of APC members.

“A political tsunami is gathering momentum!” she declared.

According to her, “The political tide is shifting. The movement is growing. Otukpo/Ohimini is getting ready!”

She further announced that “mass decamping” was loading, while teasing details of what she described as a major political development in the constituency.

Adoyi-Ofiebor’s defection has added fresh momentum to the political contest for the Otukpo/Ohimini federal seat ahead of the 2027 elections.

She had initially declared her intention to contest the seat on the APC platform, with her campaign centred on youth empowerment, women development, healthcare, education, security and infrastructure.

Following her move to the PDP, she said the party’s values, grassroots orientation and commitment to the sanctity of the ballot aligned with her political convictions.

She also maintained that it was the turn of Ohimini Local Government Area to produce the next representative for the constituency, citing the longstanding rotational arrangement between Otukpo and Ohimini.

Ofie-Adoyi’s entry has turned the Otukpo/Ohimini contest into one of the most intriguing races in Benue South, with the possibility that the major parties could have women leading the battle for the constituency.

Ofie-Adoyi had earlier declared her ambition for the seat, with the agitation for power to return to Ohimini forming a major part of the political conversation surrounding her aspiration.

She is now being presented as the PDP candidate for the 2027 National Assembly election. The Otukpo/Ohimini Equity Movement, while congratulating her on her nomination, has also renewed calls for the rotation arrangement between Otukpo and Ohimini to be respected.

Her candidacy sets up an unusual dimension to the election.

Rather than the conventional narrative of a female candidate attempting to dislodge an established male politician, the Otukpo/Ohimini contest could feature two prominent women on opposing sides of the political divide.