10,000 APC, PDP members dump party, join ADC

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 State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Terngu Tsegba.

The event, held in Agatu Local Government of Benue South Senatorial District, drew a massive crowd of decampees, supporters, and admirers of Sir John Ngbede, a key political figure in the area.

At the ceremony, Sir Ngbede donated a building to serve as the party’s new secretariat in Agatu.

In his address, Rt. Hon. Tsegba hailed the unveiling as “the largest political gathering in the state this year,” praising Ngbede’s grassroots influence.
He assured the crowd that the ADC stood for inclusiveness, stability, and internal democracy.

“Our confidence is firm, ADC will sweep all elective seats in this local government,” Tsegba declared.

Sir John Ngbede, a former Commissioner of Water Resources, 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, he told the jubilant crowd: “The dominance of PDP and APC in Agatu is over.”

His statement triggered cheers and solidarity chants from thousands of defectors.

The event also featured the commissioning of the new party office, underscoring ADC’s growing grassroots presence.

Top dignitaries present included State Secretary Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu; immediate past PDP Chairman, Hon. Chris Adaba Aba (Mad Lion); former Commissioner of Finance, 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; and Engr. Solomon Eigege.

Others in attendance 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, and Comr. Hwande T.C.

Party leaders stressed that the ADC’s focus remained grassroots mobilisation and community development, with a vision to dominate Benue’s political future.