The ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in has continued to grow in Benue state, as the crisis rocking the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state hass continued to weaken it
This is as two APC lawmakers in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Thomas Kwagh-Kudi (Makurdi North State Constituency) and Jacob Orban (Katsina-Ala West State Constituency) defected to the PDP at the weekend with thousands of their supporters.
The Makurdi lawmaker was received into the PDP at the Saint Mary’s Primary School playground, North Bank Makurdi, by Governor Samuel Ortom, the National Assembly member representing Benue North East District, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Speaker of the State Assembly and PDP governorship candidate, Titus Uba, National and State Assembly members among others.Governor Ortom, while receiving the defectors, said PDP will continue to remain strong in Benue State, adding that it will also continue to live up to its name as a true people’s party.”
The Governor, who assured the defecting lawmaker and his supporters og equal opporninty in the party, urged the people to “keep faith with the PDP, as it is the party to deliver the country from the APC misrule.”Also, Senator Suswam noted that the electoral fortunes of the PDP were brighter in the coming 2023 general elections, saying the party was better positioned for victory in the state as well as at the national level.
The House of Representatives Member for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Benjamin Mzondu who lauded the lawmaker for dumping the APC noted that PDP was waxing stronger in the State as a result of the people-centred leadership being provided by Governor Ortom.Leader of the defectors, Kwagh-Kudi who expressed delight that he was joining the PDP, said he would give his all and work for the victory of the party in all elections.
However, while receiving Mr. Orban of Katsina-Ala West State Constituency and his supporters at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala, Governor Ortom said the former APC members took a wise decision “to leave a party that has failed Nigerians in all areas.”
Earlier, leader of the defectors, Mr. Orban who said his defection from the APC to the PDP was to enable him join forces with Governor Ortom to attract development for his constituents, added that Benue belonged to the PDP and he could not remain in a party that has been rejected by the people.
