Politics, at its core, is about aligning with the platforms and opportunities that best serve the interests of one’s people. In this context, the recent defection of Chief (Pst.) Dr. Ojotu Ojema, the member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Inland Waterways, from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) deserves more than a passing glance; it calls for deeper understanding.
When the lawmaker formally received delegations of the Agatu PDP Youth Forum and the Agatu Enlightenment Forum in his National Assembly office on Thursday, October 16, 2025, his message was clear: his defection was not driven by personal ambition but by a renewed commitment to deliver greater development to the people of Apa and Agatu.
“My decision to join the APC is not for personal gain, but for the progress of my people,” Ojema declared.
In a political environment often defined by self-interest and opportunism, such a statement carries weight. Ojema’s record over the years has shown a consistent focus on empowerment, human capital development, and youth inclusion—values that transcend partisan lines.
It is easy for political critics to dismiss defections as acts of convenience. However, Ojema’s move must be understood within the broader context of governance and access. In a federal system like Nigeria’s, legislative influence and political leverage often depend on alignment with the ruling party.
By joining the APC, Ojema has positioned himself to attract more federal attention to the long-neglected communities of Apa and Agatu—areas that have suffered years of infrastructural and economic marginalization. His decision, therefore, reflects a strategic recalibration aimed at securing a stronger voice for his constituents within the corridors of power.
Long before his latest political realignment, Ojema had already distinguished himself as one of the few federal lawmakers whose empowerment programmes directly impact ordinary citizens. From facilitating federal job placements to distributing farm inputs, sewing machines, and other livelihood support items, his initiatives have reached across party and community divides.
This record of service explains why youth groups such as the Agatu PDP Youth Forum and the Agatu Enlightenment Forum not only reaffirmed their support for him but also pledged to follow him into the APC. In a rare show of unity, they commended his focus on human capital development and promised to mobilize grassroots support to sustain his developmental drive.
Ojema’s defection is not an act of political betrayal; rather, it is a demonstration of pragmatic leadership. As a lawmaker, his allegiance must ultimately lie with the progress of his people, not the survival of any political structure. By pledging to work with Governor Hyacinth Alia and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Ojema is aligning with the political machinery that currently drives national and state development policies. This alignment, if properly harnessed, could open new windows of opportunity for Apa and Agatu in the years ahead.
For far too long, the people of Apa and Agatu have been on the margins of Benue State’s political and developmental narrative. Ojotu Ojema’s latest move represents not just a change of party, but a statement of intent—a deliberate step toward greater inclusion in the national development process.
His challenge now is to ensure that this political shift translates into tangible benefits: more federal projects, stronger youth empowerment programmes, and sustainable peace and development across his constituency.
As the 2027 elections approach, the people of Apa and Agatu will judge not by party colour but by results. If Ojema’s past record is anything to go by, they may yet find that his move to the APC was not only strategic but necessary for the progress they have long desired.
