The lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State, Ojema Ojotu, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ojotu’s defection was announced during Tuesday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who read the lawmaker’s letter on the floor of the chamber.
With his defection, the APC now holds all 11 federal constituencies from Benue State in the House of Representatives, consolidating its dominance in the state’s federal representation.
The announcement, however, sparked opposition from the Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who urged the presiding officer to declare Ojotu’s seat vacant.
Madaki cited Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), arguing that a lawmaker’s seat should be vacated if they abandon the political party that sponsored their election without evidence of division within that party.
Responding, the House Majority Leader, Ibrahim Halims, invoked Order 7, contending that Ojotu’s move was justified due to unresolved internal crises within the PDP.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Kalu welcomed Ojotu into the APC fold, assuring him of the party’s full support.
Ojotu currently chairs the House Committee on Inland Waterways.