IT’S FINISHED: ADC buries PDP, APC alive in Benue South, wins over 10,000 new members in Agatu

A political tidal wave has struck the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, as no fewer than 10,000 of their members defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Agatu Local Government Area.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the mass defection, described by observers as a “political tsunami,” took place on Saturday, May 13, 2025, during the official unveiling of the ADC in Agatu by the Benue State Chairman of the party, Rt. Hon. Terngu Tsegba.

The event, held in Agatu LGA of the Benue South Senatorial District, recorded an unprecedented turnout of decampees, grassroots supporters, and admirers of Sir John Ngbede, the political heavyweight widely regarded as the face of Agatu politics.

Ngbede, who formally dumped PDP to lead the ADC in Agatu, also donated a building to serve as the new party secretariat in the local government.

Speaking at the unveiling, Tsegba hailed the development as the largest defection in Benue in recent history. He praised Ngbede for galvanizing such massive support, describing him as “a political enigma whose influence continues to reshape the political landscape of Benue South.”

Tsegba further assured the people that the ADC stands for inclusiveness, internal democracy, and stability, declaring confidence that the party is now positioned to sweep elective seats across Agatu in 2027.

On his part, Ngbede — a former Commissioner of Water Resources in Benue State, ex-Chairman of Agatu LGA, former PDP State Chairman, and 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate — declared that the dominance of PDP and APC in Agatu was over. His pronouncement was met with loud cheers and chants of solidarity from the crowd, signaling what many described as the “death knell” of the two major parties in the area.

The unveiling also featured the commissioning of the new ADC secretariat, further cementing the party’s growing grassroots presence. Party leaders stressed that the ADC would not only contest but also win future elections by connecting directly with the people through community development initiatives.

Dignitaries at the event included the State Secretary, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu; immediate past PDP Chairman, Hon. Chris Adaba Aba (Mad Lion); former Commissioner of Finance and ADC frontline leader, Hon. David Adejoh Olofu; CPC Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Sule Odaliko; former Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Rt. Hon. Herman Hembe; Pro-tem State Woman Leader, Chief Mrs. Abeje Egwa; Prof. Salifu David, Chairman of Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative; Engr. Solomon Eigege; among several others.

With this gale of defections, political analysts say the ADC has not only unsettled the PDP and APC in Agatu but also triggered a new wave of uncertainty in Benue South politics ahead of 2027.