Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major political shift in the state.
Suswam, who recently announced his resignation from the PDP, attributed his decision to what he described as persistent and unresolved internal crises within the opposition party.
Confirmation of his defection was made public on Wednesday via a Facebook post by his Chief of Staff, Mr Moses Ukeyima. According to the post, the former governor formally registered as a card-carrying member of the APC in his Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
“Moments ago, the former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, performed his first duty as a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress by registering in his Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area, Benue State,” Ukeyima wrote.
He added that Suswam’s registration was captured on the party’s ongoing electronic registration platform, noting that the exercise was conducted by the APC State Organising Secretary, Mr James Ornguga, alongside Angura Bishop, on behalf of the state chairman, who subsequently presented the new membership card to the former governor.
Prior to his defection, Suswam had offered a detailed explanation for leaving the PDP, lamenting what he described as the party’s steady decline from its founding ideals.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the disputes—cutting across leadership, structure, discipline, and ideology—have been allowed to linger without “any clear or credible pathway to resolution.”
Despite his exit, the former governor expressed appreciation for the opportunities and platform provided by the PDP over the years, noting that his decision was taken after deep reflection on the party’s current state and his political future.
