Former Benue State Governor and Senator, Gabriel Suswam, formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday, bringing an end to decades of association with the opposition party.
The resignation was conveyed in a letter personally signed by Suswam and addressed to his Mbagber Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. The letter was made available to journalists in Makurdi.
In the letter, Suswam explained that his decision to leave the party followed careful consideration, noting that the PDP had played a significant role in his political journey and afforded him opportunities to serve both Benue State and the country.
“For decades, the PDP provided me with a platform to serve the Nigerian people in various capacities: as a Member of the House of Representatives, as governor of Benue, and as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“For these opportunities and the trust reposed in me at different times, I remain sincerely grateful,” he said.
The former two-term governor observed that the party is currently engulfed in persistent internal turmoil, which he described as unresolved despite several attempts at reconciliation.
According to him, efforts by well-meaning individuals to address the party’s challenges have not yielded results, leaving him with no alternative but to withdraw his membership.
“The party that once stood as a symbol of cohesion, internal democracy, and progressive opposition, has regrettably become plagued by persistent and unresolved internal conflicts.
“These disputes, spanning leadership, structure, discipline, and ideology, have been allowed to fester without any clear or credible pathway to resolution.
“In spite of repeated interventions, reconciliatory committees, and public assurances, the party continues to operate in a state of deep internal dysfunction.
“The PDP today appears to be perpetually trapped in crisis mode, an institution in political intensive care, with no consensus diagnosis and no agreed treatment plan in sight,” he said.
Suswam further stated that remaining in the PDP had become incompatible with his democratic principles, personal beliefs, and political outlook, particularly his desire to contribute productively to national development within a stable political environment.
“I believe that political parties must serve as platforms for ideas, discipline, and constructive engagement, not arenas of endless internal warfare. Regrettably, the current state of affairs within the PDP no longer aligns with these ideals.
“I therefore consider it honourable and necessary to step aside, while wishing the party well should it one day find the courage and consensus to resolve its longstanding internal contradictions.
“Please accept my resignation and convey my appreciation to members at all levels for the shared journey over the years,” he said.
What you should know
Gabriel Suswam is a prominent Nigerian politician who has served as governor of Benue State for two terms and represented the state at both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
His resignation from the PDP reflects the growing internal struggles within the party, which has faced prolonged leadership and structural disputes since losing federal power.
Suswam’s exit adds to a list of senior figures distancing themselves from the party, raising questions about its cohesion, relevance, and preparedness ahead of future elections.
