No fewer than 10,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other political parties reportedly defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Naijaonpoint reports that the mass defection took place on Saturday, May 13, 2025, during the official unveiling of the ADC in Agatu by the State Chairman of the party, Terngu Tsegba.

The event, held in Agatu LGA of the Benue South Senatorial District, drew a large crowd of defectors, political supporters, and admirers of Sir John Ngbede, a prominent political leader in the area.

In a symbolic gesture, Ngbede also donated a building to serve as the new ADC secretariat in Agatu.

Speaking at the gathering, Tsegba commended the party leadership in Agatu for what he described as the largest unveiling event in Benue State so far.

The state chairman praised Ngbede for his grassroots mobilisation and described him as a political force capable of reshaping Agatu’s political landscape.

He assured the people that the ADC remains committed to inclusiveness, stability, and internal democracy, adding that the party was poised to win all elective seats in Agatu LGA.

On his part, Ngbede, a former Commissioner of Water Resources in Benue State, ex-Chairman of Agatu LGA, former PDP State Chairman, and 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate, was formally unveiled as the leader of ADC in Agatu.

In his address, Ngbede declared that the dominance of the PDP and APC in Agatu was over, a statement that drew loud cheers and solidarity chants from the enthusiastic crowd.

Naijaonpoint reports that the event also featured the commissioning of the new party office, which party leaders described as further proof of the ADC’s growing presence and commitment to grassroots engagement in the area.

Ngbede emphasised that beyond politics, the ADC would focus on community development initiatives to bring meaningful change to the Agatu people.

Dignitaries in Attendance

The unveiling ceremony was attended by several political heavyweights and 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 decampees), 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.

The large turnout of defectors and dignitaries signalled what observers described as a major political shift in Benue South, with ADC positioning itself as a formidable alternative to the PDP and APC.