A former governor of Benue State and ex-Senator, Gabriel Suswam, has resigned from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
He cited persistent internal crises and a lack of cohesion within the PDP for his resignation from the opposition party.
Suswam’s resignation was contained in a letter dated Wednesday, February 4, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Suswam’s Chief of Staff, Moses Ukeyima, shared the letter on his Facebook.
The former governor stated in his letter that his decision was informed by what he described as the party’s failure to resolve longstanding internal conflicts affecting its leadership, structure, discipline and ideological direction.
The letter read, “I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with effect from the date of this letter.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. 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 State, 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.
“However, 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.”
He added that despite repeated interventions and reconciliation efforts, the party has remained locked in what he called a cycle of crisis, with no clear pathway to stability.
He said he could no longer reconcile his continued membership in the party with his personal convictions and desire to contribute meaningfully to nation-building within a stable political platform.
He added, “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.”
Suswam said he had chosen to step aside, while expressing hope that the PDP would one day find the courage and consensus to resolve its internal contradictions.
However, the PDP leadership has yet to react to Suswam’s resignation.
