Hon. Ojema Ojotu, the House of Representatives member for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was announced on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s plenary by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who read Ojotu’s letter of resignation from PDP.
With this move, the APC now holds all federal House seats from Benue State.
Ojotu, who chairs the House Committee on Inland Waterways, cited persistent internal crises, unresolved leadership tussles and deep divisions within the PDP as his reasons for crossing to the ruling party.
During the announcement, a point of order was raised by Hon. Aliyu Madaki (New Nigeria Peoples Party), calling for approval to declare Ojotu’s seat vacant under Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, which addresses party defection.
However, House Majority Leader Ibrahim Halims countered the motion by relying on Order 7, arguing that a lawmaker may cross over in cases of unresolved party crisis.
Deputy Speaker Kalu then welcomed Ojotu to the APC and assured him of support in his new political alignment.
