Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has lost another key political ally following the defection of the current Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Thomas Dugerí, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Benue State, Hon. Adzua Ashongo, formally presented Hon. Dugerí to the immediate past Governor of Benue State and leader of the PDP in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom, at the former governor’s Abuja residence.
Hon. Dugerí, who represents Kwande West State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, is also the PDP candidate for the constituency in the 2027 general election. During the meeting, which was his first with the Benue PDP leader since joining the party, Hon. Dugerí expressed appreciation to Chief Ortom and other leaders and members of the PDP for the warm reception accorded him since his defection. He particularly thanked PDP members in Kwande and across Benue State for embracing him and his supporters, describing the reception as encouraging.
The lawmaker assured the party of his unflinching loyalty and commitment, pledging to work with other stakeholders towards securing victory for the PDP at all levels in the 2027 general election. Welcoming Hon. Dugerí to the party, Chief Ortom assured him and his supporters of equal opportunities and a level playing field within the PDP.
The former governor described the PDP as a broad political family where both old and new members have an equal role to play in strengthening the party and advancing its quest to return to power in Benue State in 2027.
