A member of the House of Representatives representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State, Ojema Ojotu, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, announced Ojotu’s defection during Tuesday’s plenary session after reading the lawmaker’s letter of resignation from the PDP on the floor of the Green Chamber.

Before the defection, the APC held 10 out of 11 federal seats from Benue State. Ojotu’s move now gives the ruling party full control of all Benue federal constituencies in the House of Representatives.

In his letter, Ojotu attributed his decision to leave the PDP to “prolonged internal crises” within the party.

“After consultation with my constituents, family members, and political associates, I have decided to dump the PDP for the APC,” he stated.

However, the defection did not go unchallenged. The Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), cited Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), urging the presiding officer to declare Ojotu’s seat vacant.

“Mr Speaker, the law is clear,  a member’s seat should be declared vacant if he leaves the party that sponsored his election, except in the case of a division within that party,” Madaki argued.

Responding, the House Majority Leader, Ibrahim Halims, countered Madaki’s point, arguing that Ojotu’s defection was justified due to unresolved crises within the PDP.

“When a party is engulfed in an unresolved crisis that threatens a member’s political future, such a person has the right to seek refuge elsewhere,” Halims said.

In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Kalu welcomed Ojotu to the APC, assuring him of the ruling party’s support as he continues his legislative duties.

Ojotu currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Inland Waterways.