Former Benue State governor and one-time senator, Gabriel Suswam, has formally exited the Peoples Democratic Party, bringing to an end decades of political association with the opposition party.
In a resignation letter submitted to his ward leadership, Suswam said his decision was driven by long-standing internal problems that, in his view, have remained unresolved despite repeated attempts at reconciliation.
According to him, the party no longer reflects the principles that once defined it as a credible platform for democratic engagement and responsible opposition.
He argued that internal unity, discipline, and ideological clarity have steadily eroded.
“The PDP allowed me to serve at various levels, and I remain grateful for that trust,” Suswam stated.
“However, the party has struggled to address its internal fractures in a way that inspires confidence.”
The former governor, who previously served as a lawmaker, two-term governor, and senator, noted that leadership disputes and weak internal control mechanisms have continued to undermine cohesion within the party.
He warned that persistent infighting has left the PDP politically fragile, stressing that meaningful opposition requires structure, clarity of purpose, and internal consensus.
“A political party should be a marketplace of ideas, not a battlefield of personal interests,” he said.
Suswam added that remaining in the PDP had become increasingly difficult to justify, as the party’s current direction no longer aligned with his personal political values and beliefs.
Describing his exit as a principled decision, he said leaving was the most honourable option available to him under the circumstances.
Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the party could eventually overcome its internal challenges.
While confirming his resignation dated February 4, 2026, Suswam did not indicate whether he plans to join another political party, leaving his next political move open to speculation.
He concluded by thanking party members at all levels for their years of collaboration, saying the shared political journey, though now ended, remained an important chapter of his public life.