Mass exodus hits Benue APC as another lawmaker joins PDP

More members of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC in Benue State have continued to ditch the party to join the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The latest entrant into the PDP is the member representing Katsina-Ala West at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Jacob Orban who led hundreds of his supporters to join the party at an elaborate ceremony in Katsina Ala.

The defection of the House of Assembly member with his supporters is coming a day after his colleague representing Makurdi North, Terfa Thomas Kwagh-Kudi and his supporters dumped APC for PDP.

Receiving the new members at the Akume Atongo Stadium, Katsina Ala, Samuel Governor Ortom said the former APC members have taken a wise decision to leave a party that has failed Nigerians in all areas.

Governor Ortom expressed appreciation to the defectors and the entire people of Benue for keeping faith with the PDP, stressing that the party has fielded credible candidates who would ensure the progress of the state when elected.

Senator representing Benue North East, Dr. Gabriel Suswam pointed out that with the defection of the APC Assembly member, the Sankera geopolitical zone comprising Logo, Katsina Ala and Ukum have been taken over by the PDP.

Dr. Suswam stated that with the provision of dividends of democracy to the people of Sankera by Governor Samuel Ortom, providing such as school infrastructure and other social amenities, the people would vote massively for the PDP in next election.

Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and Governorship candidate of the PDP, Hon Titus Uba said PDP has become a way of life for Benue people and Nigerians because it was the only party that has protected them, stressing that it was the reason why members of other political parties were joining the PDP.

The Leader of the defectors, Hon. Jacob Orban said his defection from the APC to the PDP was to enable him join forces with Governor Ortom to attract development for his constituents, adding that Benue belongs to the PDP and he cannot stay in a party that has been rejected by the people.

Other speakers at the defection ceremony include member representing Sankera, Richard Gbande, chairman of Katsina-Ala, Mr Atera Alfred, Commissioner of Agriculture, Kester Ikyenge and other PDP stalwarts in the zone.

They all commended Governor Ortom for restoring peace in Sankara through the proactive steps he has taken and urged him to sustain the measures.