The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost 13 out of the 23 local governments chairmen in Benue state to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They defected to PDP on Friday days after the governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, defected from the APC to the PDP.
The governor announced his defection during a meeting with elected local government chairmen and councillors on Wednesday at the Government House Makurdi.
The governor defected hours after protesting youths barred him from travelling to Abuja to attend the APC reconciliation meeting.
He said that after various consultations from his party, he was advised to look for another party, noting that his stay in the APC had expired.
The chairmen include Anthony Shawon of Guma local government, Justina Sorka of Buruku local government, Mwuese Ubebe of Konshisha local government, Blessing Unogwo of Ado Ado local government, Virginia Kpindi of Katsina-Ala local government and George Alli of Otukpo local government.
Others are Comfort Echeoda of Agatu local government, Francis Ayaga of Gwer West local government, Uaah Vitalis of Gwer East local government, Richard Nyajo of Logo local government, Ibellogo Tor of Tyokaa- Ukum local government, Adakole Abutu of Ohimini local government and Peter Onche of Obi local government.
The governor’s defection also facilitated the impeachment of Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, the Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly, who apparently did not want to defect. (NAN)
