Former Governor Suswam Leaves the PDP

Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has announced his resignation from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as of Wednesday.

In a letter that he personally signed and directed to the Mbagber Council Ward in the Logo Local Government Area, Suswam shared this decision with media representatives in Makurdi.

He emphasized that stepping away from the party was a serious choice and acknowledged the numerous opportunities the PDP had afforded him in his past roles serving the state and the nation.

"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," he stated.

Suswam expressed gratitude for the trust the party had shown in him over the years.

The former two-term governor pointed out that the PDP is now mired in crisis, plagued by ongoing internal disputes that have not seen resolution despite numerous attempts to remedy the situation.

He lamented that the party, which once stood for unity, democracy, and progressive opposition, is now suffering from persistent internal conflicts.

"These disputes, which relate to leadership, organizational structure, discipline, and ideological differences, have been neglected for too long, lacking a credible pathway to resolution," he stated.

Despite repeated efforts involving reconciliatory committees and public assurances, the party appears to continue to struggle with significant internal dysfunction.

"The PDP today seems to remain in a constant state of crisis; it resembles an institution under political distress, with no consensus on diagnosis or treatment plan visible," he lamented.

Suswam further explained that as a democrat, he found it challenging to remain affiliated with the PDP due to conflicts with his personal values and aspirations for contributing productively to nation-building in a stable political environment.

He asserted that political parties should serve as platforms for creativity, discipline, and meaningful engagement rather than arenas rife with endless internal disputes. Unfortunately, he noted that the current conditions within the PDP no longer resonate with these principles.

"Therefore, I believe it is both honorable and necessary for me to distance myself from the party while hoping it eventually finds a way to address its ongoing internal issues,” he concluded, urging the party to embrace resolve when ready.

"Please accept my resignation and convey my sincere appreciation to members at all tiers for our shared journey throughout the years,” he stated. (NAN)