More than 10,000 members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and several other parties defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The mass defection occurred on Saturday, May 13, 2025, during the official launch of the ADC in Agatu, led by the State Chairman, Terngu Tsegba.
The event, held in Agatu LGA of Benue South Senatorial District, attracted a large crowd of supporters and admirers of Sir John Ngbede, a former Commissioner of Water Resources and one-time PDP State Chairman, who was officially unveiled as the leader of ADC in the area.
In a symbolic move, Ngbede donated a building to serve as the new ADC secretariat in Agatu. Addressing the gathering, Tsegba hailed the turnout as the largest unveiling ceremony ever witnessed in Benue, praising Ngbede’s grassroots mobilisation as a game-changer for Agatu’s political landscape.
Tsegba assured the people that the ADC was committed to inclusiveness, stability, and internal democracy, stressing that the party was ready to contest and win all elective positions in Agatu.
Declaring the dominance of PDP and APC in the area “over,” Ngbede’s statement drew thunderous cheers from the enthusiastic crowd. He emphasised that beyond political competition, the ADC would focus on community development to deliver meaningful change to the people of Agatu.
The event also featured the commissioning of the new party office, further signalling ADC’s growing presence and grassroots engagement.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The ceremony was graced by prominent political stakeholders, including:
- Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, State Secretary
- Hon. Chris Adaba Aba (Mad Lion), immediate past PDP Chairman
- Hon. David Adejoh Olofu, former Commissioner of Finance and ADC frontline leader
- Alhaji Salisu Sule Odaliko, CPC Chairman
- Rt. Hon. Herman Hembe, former Labour Party Governorship Candidate
- Chief Mrs. Abeje Egwa, Pro-tem State Woman Leader
- Prof. Salifu David, Chairman of Apa Legacy Sustainability Initiative
- Engr. Solomon Eigege
Others included Hon. Apochi Nelson Owoicho, Hon. Ekoja Bashir, Hon. Abu Echo, Hon. Owoicho Oyi, Hon. Henry Otache, Hon. Otokpa, Hon. Joseph Ngbede, Hon. Philip Ebeyakwu, Hon. Moses Agbo (leader of defectors), 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, and Comr. Hwande T.C.
Observers have described the mass defection and large turnout as a clear signal of a shifting political tide in Benue South, with the ADC emerging as a formidable alternative to both the PDP and APC.
