After withdrawing from senatorial race in Benue state, there are strong indications that former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Senator Barnabas Gemade may soon defect to the leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gemade is currently representing Benue State North East Senatorial District.
The former PDP’s helmsman in his letter to the current chairman of the party complained that there was no level playing ground and that he had lost confidence in the party structure in the State.
The letter for his withdrawal read in part: “I am constrained to write you for the fourth time in two months on the subject matter of the happenings in the PDP in my state as they affect me and our teeming members who have toiled over the years to give victory to our party for four consecutive general elections.
“As a founding member of this party in 1998 and indeed the leader of the Conveners in Benue State, I am pained by these developments and I want to put on record my feelings even if there is no result arising from it.
“At least, the history of my service as convener, member national steering committee, member Executive Committee (NEC), member National Working Committee (NWC), member Board of Trustees (BOT), National Chairman and Chairman National Caucus should count.
“I have come to realise that things have got to a point where one cannot expect a level playing ground or even any democratic action in our affairs in the party.
A close source to Gemade hinted that the senator may join APC and thus contest on the party’s platform. He is expected to pick up APC senatorial form on Monday.
The source further stated that Gemade who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning will join forces with the former governor of the state and Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume to ensure that APC captures the state in 2015 general elections.
Like Senator Gemade, Senator Akume was allegedly pushed out of the PDP and he joined the opposition party to win his election in 2011 and has since become a Chieftain of the APC and Minority Leader in the senate.
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