Former Governor of Benue State and ex‑Senator Gabriel Suswam has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing persistent internal conflicts and unresolved disputes within the party in a letter dated February 4, 2026.
Suswam’s resignation comes amid ongoing tensions within the PDP, with reports of internal disagreements over leadership, structure, discipline and ideology.
The former governor’s departure was communicated in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The resignation reflects growing challenges within Nigeria’s major opposition party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. Suswam has served as a Member of the House of Representatives, two‑term governor of Benue State and senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In the letter, Suswam said his decision was not taken lightly, recognising the role the PDP played in his political career but expressed concern over what he described as persistent and unresolved conflicts within the party. He said efforts to resolve these disputes had not yielded lasting solutions.
Suswam explained that the party once stood as a symbol of cohesion and internal democracy but had become plagued by internal disputes affecting its leadership and organisational structure.
He said the issues were allowed to fester without a clear or credible pathway to resolution.
According to the letter shared on social media by his Chief of Staff, Moses Ukeyima, Suswam said he could no longer reconcile his membership with his personal convictions and desire to contribute to nation‑building within a stable and functional political framework.
As of publication, the PDP leadership had not issued an official response to Suswam’s resignation.
In his resignation letter, Suswam said: “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.”
He added: “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.”
Suswam’s resignation highlights ongoing internal challenges within the PDP as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
The exit of a prominent political figure from the opposition party may influence political alignments and debates over party cohesion and strategy.
The development also underscores recurring concerns about internal party democracy and effective conflict resolution within Nigeria’s major political parties.
