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No fewer than 10,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other political parties have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The mass defection took place on Saturday, May 13, 2025, during the official unveiling of the ADC in Agatu by the Benue State Chairman of the party, Rt. Hon. Terngu Tsegba.
The ceremony, held in Agatu LGA of the Benue South Senatorial District, witnessed a large turnout of decampees, political supporters, and admirers of Sir John Ngbede, a prominent political leader in Agatu.
Ngbede also donated a building to serve as the new secretariat of the party in the area.
Speaking at the event, Tsegba commended the leadership of the party in Agatu for organizing what he described as the largest unveiling event in the state.
He praised Ngbede for his role in mobilizing grassroots support, describing him as a leader whose political influence continues to shape the direction of the local government.
He assured the people that the ADC is committed to inclusiveness, stability, and internal democracy, expressing confidence that the party would win all elective seats in the LGA.
On his part, Ngbede, a former Commissioner of Water Resources in Benue State, ex-Chairman of Agatu LGA, former State PDP Chairman, and Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 elections, was formally unveiled as the leader of ADC in Agatu.
In his remarks, Ngbede declared the dominance of PDP and APC in Agatu to be over, a statement that drew loud cheers and solidarity chants from the crowd.
The event also featured the commissioning of the new party office, further underscoring the ADC’s growing presence and organization in Agatu. Party leaders noted that the ADC remains focused on grassroots engagement and community development initiatives.
Dignitaries at the event included the State Secretary, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu; immediate past PDP Chairman, Hon. Chris Adaba Aba (Mad Lion); former Commissioner of Finance and ADC frontline leader, Hon. David Adejoh Olofu; CPC Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Sule Odaliko; former Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Rt. Hon. Herman Hembe; Pro-tem State Woman Leader, Chief Mrs. Abeje Egwa; Prof. Salifu David, Chairman of Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative; Engr. Solomon Eigege; and several other stakeholders.
Others present were Hon. Apochi Nelson Owoicho, Hon. Ekoja Bashir, Hon. Abu Echo, Hon. Owoicho Oyi, Hon. Henry Otache, Hon. Otokpa, Hon. Joseph Ngbede, Hon. Philip Ebeyakwu, leader of the decampees Hon. Moses Agbo, Comr. Abu E. Adegahi, Engr. Nasir Abubakar, Hon. Usman Echono (Ochacho), Hon. Ibrahim Yusuf (10 10), Hon. Zack Rice, Hon. David Oge, Comr. Okoh Lawrence, Comr. Dan Atayi, Comr. Hwande T.C., among others.
