Benue Assembly Majority Leader defects from APC to PDP

Benue State's Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Thomas Dugeri, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in advance of the 2027 general elections. Representing Kwande West State Constituency, Dugeri formally joined the PDP in Abuja, where he was welcomed by former Benue State Governor and party leader, Samuel Ortom.

The ceremony took place at Ortom's residence during Dugeri's initial meeting with the former governor since announcing his switch to the opposition party. Ortom presented Dugeri to party members through the deputy chairman of the PDP in Benue State, Adzua Ashongo. Dugeri expressed gratitude to Ortom and other PDP leaders for the warm welcome extended to him and his supporters.

He also thanked party members in Kwande and other regions of Benue for accepting him, calling the reception encouraging. Dugeri reiterated his commitment to the PDP and pledged to collaborate with fellow party leaders and members to bolster the party's prospects ahead of the 2027 elections. He emphasized that his decision was driven by his intention to work with the PDP and other stakeholders to achieve the party's goals in the upcoming election.

Ortom, in turn, welcomed Dugeri and his supporters into the PDP, assuring them that the party would offer equal opportunities to both new and existing members. He described the PDP as a diverse political family where each member plays a vital role in strengthening the party's efforts to regain power in Benue State in 2027.