Former Benue State Governor and ex-Senator representing Benue North-East, Gabriel Suswam, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Naija News reports that Suswam announced his resignation in a letter dated Wednesday, February 4, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
In the letter, the former governor said his decision followed years of persistent and unresolved internal conflicts within the party.
“This decision has not been taken lightly,” Suswam wrote, noting that the PDP had provided him the platform to serve Nigeria as a member of the House of Representatives (1999–2007), Governor of Benue State (2007–2015), and Senator (2019–2023).
He expressed gratitude for the opportunities and trust reposed in him by the party over the years.
However, Suswam lamented that the PDP had drifted from its foundational values of cohesion, internal democracy, and progressive opposition.
According to him, leadership disputes, disciplinary breakdown, and ideological disagreements had been allowed to fester without a credible roadmap for resolution.
“Despite repeated interventions, reconciliatory committees, and public assurances, the party continues to operate in a state of deep internal dysfunction,” he said.
He described the PDP as an institution “in political intensive care,” lacking consensus on both diagnosis and treatment.
Suswam said he found it increasingly difficult to reconcile his continued membership with his personal convictions and political philosophy.
“I believe that political parties must serve as platforms for ideas, discipline, and constructive engagement, not arenas of endless internal warfare,” he stated.
He added that the current condition of the PDP no longer aligned with those ideals, making his exit both “honourable and necessary.”
While announcing his resignation, Suswam did not disclose his next political destination.
He, however, wished the party well, expressing hope that it might one day resolve its internal contradictions.
“Please accept my resignation and convey my appreciation to members at all levels for the shared journey over the years,” the letter concluded.
