By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assumed control of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) state structures in Benue.
The decision of an opposition coalition led by former Senate President David Mark and ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar to adopt the ADC as its platform, internal weakening of the PDP has accelerated. State-level actors in Benue are emerging as early adopters of this momentum.
This migration is seen as part of a broader national rejection of PDP under mounting internal strife. David Mark resigned from PDP on June 27, citing “deepening divisions” and “unresolved leadership crisis” . His move set the tone for a flood of potential defections, with many PDP heavyweights including former governors Liyel Imoke, Babangida Aliyu, Suswam, Sam Egwu, Aminu Tambuwal, and Sule Lamido expected to follow suit.
The takeover signals PDP’s precipitous decline in a major stronghold.
Historically, the party’s support base in Benue has been fragmented into squabbles.
The ADC’s takeover of PDP structures signals a tectonic shift in Benue’s political landscape. With local PDP assets and cadres now realigning under ADC, Benue will become a key frontline in the 2027 elections where the newly energized opposition hopes to challenge not just APC dominance, but also reclaim positions lost under PDP.
This development marks one of the most dramatic shifts in Nigeria’s opposition dynamics since 2023. Benue State, once considered a PDP stronghold, now stands at the epicenter of a political realignment that may well define the shape of 2027