TWO days after Benue State governor dumped the All Progressive Congress (APC) and rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 13 local government chairmen have followed suit.

The chairmen announced their defection to the PDP at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Friday. The state has 23 local government areas.

Those who defected includes: Anthony Shawon of Guma Local Government Area (LGA), Justina Sorka of Buruku LGA, Mwuese Ubebe of Konshisha LGA, Blessing Unogwo of Ado LGA, Virginia Kpindi of Katsina-Ala LGA and George Alli of Otukpo LGA.

Others are Comfort Echeoda of Agatu LGA, Francis Ayaga of Gwer West LGA, Uaah Vitalis of Gwer East LGA, Richard Nyajo of Logo LGA, Ibellogo Tor of Tyokaa- Ukum LGA, Adakole Abutu of Ohimini LGA and Peter Onche of Obi LGA.

Governor Ortom who dissolved his cabinet earlier this month retained only commissioners believed to be fully loyal to him.



The decision of the 13 local government chairmen to follow him to the PDP is the latest in a series of major political decisions in the state over recent weeks.



A day before his defection, the Benue State House of Assembly impeached Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, who had been the Speaker since Governor Ortom rose to power.

On Wednesday morning, hours before the governor formally defected, protesting youths barred him from travelling to Abuja to attend an APC reconciliation meeting.

Meanwhile, the national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has stated why the governor dumped the ruling party.