Peoples Democratic Party Kicks As Ex-candidate Defects To Ruling Party In Benue

Former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly who was also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Titus Uba, has dumped the party and declared his total support for Governor Hyacinth governorship of the All progressives Congress (APC).

During the decamping ceremony, which was attended by Governor Hyacinth Alia and other top government officials, Uba explained that his decision to leave the PDP and declare total support for Alia of the APC was because he felt abandoned by the PDP at a critical period in his life, contrasting the party’s attitude with the personal intervention of Governor Alia.

According to him, you people abandoned me when I was sick, no one from my former party, the PDP, cared about my welfare. But Governor Alia took me to the hospital, paid my bills, and provided accommodation and feeding throughout my stay in Abuja. He came through for me when I was in need,” Uba said.

But in a swift reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State dismissed Uba’s claim that he was neglected during illness, saying what we did wrong as a party was promoting Uba as the party’s Governorship flag bearer in the 2023 general elections which was beyond his capacity.

A statement signed by the state secretary of the party, Dan Nyikwagh, the PDP described Uba’s statement during the decamping ceremony in his hometown Ute in Vandeikya Local Government Area as false, ungrateful and deliberately misleading.

He said, “The party is sorry for making Titus Uba its flag‑bearer during the 2023 general election, insisting that he was promoted far beyond his ‘mental and appreciative capacity.’”

In response to Uba’s allegation that no PDP member checked on him during his illness, the party said the claim was a fabrication, stressing that the PDP under former Governor Samuel Ortom stood solidly by him throughout his health challenges.

According to the statement, Uba fell ill in 2022 and was first stabilised in Abuja before being flown to Germany for specialist treatment at a cost of over N300 million, fully facilitated by the Ortom administration.

The party recalled that a welcome reception was also organised for him on his return. The PDP further noted that despite attempts by some party members to replace Uba as the governorship candidate due to his health condition, Ortom insisted he remained the flag‑bearer, standing by him “against all odds.”

The party also revealed that it supported Uba’s legal battle after losing the 2023 governorship election, pursuing his case up to the Supreme Court in January 2024.

However, the PDP accused the former Speaker of abandoning the party after the election, stating that he stopped attending meetings, ceased financial contributions and absented himself from ward and state congresses in 2024.

According to the statement, “It is shocking and disgusting that Uba now publicly praises Governor Hyacinth Alia for renting an apartment for him in Abuja, while ignoring years of sacrifices and support from Chief Ortom.”

The party stressed that it is not a charity organisation and questioned how Uba, after eight years in the Assembly as Speaker with full emoluments, had no savings and depended on others for basic needs.

From his behaviour, we know that Uba had exited the PDP long ago, the party said, adding that it had moved on and described his departure as “good riddance.”

“The most difficult task for the PDP was marketing Titus Uba to the people of Benue; he failed to convince even his kinsmen during a mock primary election where he reportedly finished fourth,” the statement continued.

Benue PDP offered a sincere apology to Uba for elevating him beyond his capacity, “We hope he would find it in his heart to forgive the party.”