Benue Assembly Minority Leader Abu Umoru Defects From PDP To APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered another setback in Benue State following the defection of the Minority Leader in the State House of Assembly, Abu Umoru, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abubakar Umoru, who represents the Apa/Agatu constituency, had assumed the position of Minority Leader late last year after an earlier shift in the Assembly caused by the defection of the former Majority Leader, Audu.

During Thursday’s plenary, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Alfred Berger, read Umoru’s defection letter to lawmakers, saying the move strengthens the APC’s hold on the Assembly.

With Umoru’s switch, the Speaker revealed that the APC now controls 28 out of the 32 seats in the House, while the PDP is left with just four members.

After joining the ruling party, Umoru was immediately appointed Deputy Majority Leader.

Speaking during the session, he said his decision to leave the PDP was based on strategy rather than personal reasons.

According to him, he chose to join the APC to support Governor Hyacinth Alia’s “Transformational Agenda” and attract development to his constituency.

“My decision to join the APC is informed by the need to unite with the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia to bring the much-needed development and transformation to my constituents in Apa and Agatu,” Umoru said.

His defection adds to the growing list of politicians who have left the PDP in Benue since the 2023 general elections.

Although the state chapter of the PDP has not yet reacted to the development, some political observers said the dwindling number of opposition lawmakers could weaken debates and oversight in the Assembly.

The APC holds a strong majority in the legislature, which may make it easier for Governor Alia to push through government policies and proposed laws.

KanyiDaily also reported how Ojema Ojotu, the lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in Benue, dumped the PDP for the APC.