Hundreds dump APC for PDP in Benue, laments Fulani herders’ attack as reasons

Major defection hits the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday in Ushongo Local Government Council of Benue as members of the party and other political parties defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Defectors cited armed herders’ endless attacks without the APC-led Federal Government taking any decisive action to protect them as well as the high cost of food stuffs.

Benue State governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State and other stalwarts have been busy receiving defectors across the Local Governments on weekly basis as
the people of Agatu and Kwande LGAs were similaly received by Governor Samuel Ortom assisted by Senator Gabriel Suswam representing Benue North East Senatorial district.

Ortom had last week indicated that defectors would receive equal treatment in PDP saying Benue people should identify with the party to collectively develop the State.

And on Saturday Ortom said any Benue person who is still in APC should re-examine himself or herself, given that the State has been under Fulani attacks.

He lamented that the Federal Government did nothing to alleviate the suffering of IDPs in Benue State.

“APC administration had failed Nigerians and there is no reason for any Benue son or daughter to remain in the party”, adding that the people of Ushongo had fared better under the PDP-led administration in the past.

Former governor of Benue State and Senator representing North East Senatorial district, Gabriel Suswam in a remark, said he and Governor Ortom were building a foundation for the youth to leverage on to provide people oriented leadership saying that the people of Usbongo had no reason to be in APC as the benefits they enjoyed while in PDP were too numerous.

State Chairman of the PDP, Sir John Ngbede attributed the massive defections into the PDP to the enabling environment provided by Governor Ortom.