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  • JUST IN: Former Benue governor Suswam dumps PDP

    JUST IN: Former Benue governor Suswam dumps PDP

    Former Governor Gabriel Torwua Suswam has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing lingering internal conflicts as the primary reason for his decision.

    In a letter dated February 4, 2026, and addressed to the PDP Chairman in Benue State, Suswam formally communicated his resignation from the party.

    He said the decision was difficult, noting that the PDP had given him the platform to serve Nigeria in several capacities, including as a member of the House of Representatives, Governor of Benue State, and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Suswam appreciated the confidence and support the party extended to him throughout his political career. 

    However, he expressed concern that the PDP has been plagued by persistent and unresolved disputes relating to leadership, party structure, discipline, and ideology, without any clear resolution in sight.

    He added that despite multiple reconciliation efforts and public assurances, the party remains engulfed in deep internal dysfunction, operating in a prolonged state of crisis without a consensus-driven solution.

    Read Also: Alleged N3.1b fraud: Court rejects Suswam’s no-case submission

    As a committed democrat, Suswam found it challenging to reconcile his membership with his personal convictions and desire to contribute meaningfully to nation-building within a stable political framework.

    He emphasized that political parties should serve as platforms for ideas and constructive engagement, rather than arenas for internal warfare.

    Suswam declared it necessary to step aside, wishing the party well in its quest to resolve its internal contradictions.

    He urged the ward chairman to accept his resignation and convey his appreciation to party members for their shared journey.

    Suswam’s future plans remain uncertain, particularly ahead of the 2027 general election, with speculation surrounding his potential interest in the Benue North East senatorial seat he previously occupied. 

  • 2027: Reconcile Suswam, Ortom, PDP tells Benue caretaker panel

    2027: Reconcile Suswam, Ortom, PDP tells Benue caretaker panel

    In its early preparations for the 2027 general election, main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed its newly-inaugurated Caretaker Committee for Benue State to reconcile two former governors – Gabriel Suswam and Samuel Ortom – as well as end the party’s internal crisis in the state.

    Inaugurating the 17-member caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of the state chapter of PDP in the next 90 days, the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Ilyas Damagum, and the Committee’s Chairman, AVM Napoleon Bali (retd.), emphasised the urgent need to restore unity in the party towards retaking Benue State in 2027.

    Read Also: Vandals of Renewed Hope: Ruling class, journalists as saboteurs

    Speaking at the party’s national secretariat while inaugurating the caretaker committee yesterday in Abuja, Damagum said: “Your duty is to usher in a new executive during this ongoing congress. This is not an easy task. You must avoid sentiments, selfishness, and embrace all. Even though you come from various interests, you must also put the party first before your personal interest.

    “Until you have a party in Benue, you will not be able to achieve (anything) in Benue. We have a daunting task. We all know the crisis there, which led to our bad outing during the last election. I am sure we should use this opportunity, and you should correct that anomaly that made us lose that state, which is predominantly a PDP state.

    “I am very happy with the selection of the chairman to lead the committee. You must work for an inclusive executive for the state. In any party, you have the good and the bad. You must carry all along; everyone is important.”

  • ‘N3.1b fraud’: Benue ex-governor Suswam’s trial begins afresh

    ‘N3.1b fraud’: Benue ex-governor Suswam’s trial begins afresh

    Eight years after he was first arraigned for allegedly diverting about N3.1 billion belonging to Benue State, former Governor Gabriel Suswam yesterday faced a fresh trial before another judge of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Suswam was re-arraigned along with his eratwhile Commissioner of Finance, Omadachi Okolobia, before Justice Peter Lifu on an 11-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The accused alleged diverted the money said to be proceeds from the sale of the state government’s shares.

    Suswam and Okolobia pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

    Read Also: Alleged N3.1b fraud: Benue ex-gov, Suswam’s trial begins afresh

    Defence lawyers – Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) for Suswam, and Paul Erokoro (SAN) for Okolobia – applied for bail for the defendants.

    Both lawyers urged the court to allow the defendants to continue on the bail earlier granted them by the previous trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

    Lawyer to the prosecution, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, did not object to the defence lawyers’ request.

    Atolagbe disagreed with the defence lawyers’ claim that the defendants always attended previous proceedings in the case.

    When Justice Lifu asked if the defendants’ previous sureties were still available, Adedeji and Erokoro answered in the affirmative.

    The judge admitted the defendants to bail and adopted the conditions attached to the previous bail.

    Justice Lifu, who averred that the case had a long winding past, said he did not want to be part of its chequered history.

    He adjourned till April 29 for the commencement of trial.

  • Alleged N3.1b fraud: Benue ex-gov, Suswam’s trial begins afresh

    Alleged N3.1b fraud: Benue ex-gov, Suswam’s trial begins afresh

    Eight years after he was first arraigned for allegedly diverting about N3.1 billion Benue State’s funds, ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam‘s trial started afresh on Thursday before another judge of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Suswam was re-arraigned on Thursday, March 21, along with an ex-commissioner of finance, Omadachi Okolobia, before Justice Peter Lifu, on an 11-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

    They were alleged to have diverted about N3.1billion from the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by the Benue government

    Suswam and Okolobia pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

    Defence lawyers – Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) for Suswam and Paul Erokoro (SAN) for Okolobia – subsequently applied for bail for the defendants.

    Both lawyers urged the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted to them by the previous trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

    The lawyer to the prosecution, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, did not object to the defence lawyers’ request.

    Atolagbe, however, disagreed with the defence lawyers’ claim that the defendants had always attended every previous proceeding in the case.

    When asked by Justice Lifu if the defendants’ previous sureties were still available, Adedeji and Erokoro said yes.

    The judge then proceeded to admit the defendants to bail and adopted the conditions attached to the previous bail.

    Justice Lifu, who noted that the case has a long winding past, said he did not want to be part of the case’s chequered history.

    Read Also: PDP National Chairman:  Suswam wants to replace Ayu

    He adjourned till April 29 for the commencement of trial.

    Suswam was Benue’s governor from 2007 to 2015, while Oklobia served under him as the Finance Commissioner.

    Suswam was a Senator for Benue North-East Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2019 to 2023 when he lost his reelection bid to Emmanuel Udende of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Suswam and Okolobia were first arraigned before Justice Mohammed in November 2015.

    Midway into the trial, Justice Mohammed withdrew from the case, citing some online publications, accusing him of being influenced to accord Suswam a “soft landing.”

    Upon Justice Mohammed’s withdrawal, the case was reassigned to Justice Okon Abang, who promptly commenced the hearing.

    The prosecution was to call its fourth witness before Justice Abang when, upon an appeal by Suswam, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a judgment in February 2020 ordered that the case be returned to Justice Mohammed because he did not properly withdraw from the case.

    Court of Appeal held that it was not satisfied with the reason given by Justice Mohammed for recusing himself from the case, adding that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court equally erred in re-assigning the matter to another judge.

    The case was then returned to Justice Mohammed, before whom the prosecution closed its case last December.

    The defendants were expected to open their defence when the National Judicial Council (NJC), earlier this year,  announced Justice Mohammed’s elevation to the Court of Appeal.

  • PDP National Chairman:  Suswam wants to replace Ayu

    PDP National Chairman:  Suswam wants to replace Ayu

    • Says he has blessings of Ortom, Moro, Mark

    A former Governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Torwua Suswam, yesterday declared his interest in the national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Suswam told the Benue State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP and the caucus in Benue North East Senatorial District at separate meetings in Makurdi and Katsina Ala respectively that he has all it takes to lead the party.

    The former governor said if the tradition of the PDP was anything to go by, he was the right person to replace Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s immediate past national chairman who is also from the state.

    Citing precedence in the party, he said the North Central geo-political zone and Benue State especially should be allowed to complete Ayu’s tenure.

    He pleaded with all party members to forget their differences and work with him with a view to rebuilding the PDP.

    Ayu had stepped aside from the position in 2023 following his suspension by the PDP in his ward.

    A High Court sitting in Makurdi last June affirmed his removal as PDP National Chairman on the grounds that he had lost his membership of the party at his Igyorov council ward, Gboko Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Economy: Subsidy beneficiaries, smugglers fighting back, says Tinubu

    Alhaji Umar Ililya Damagum currently leads the PDP as acting National Chairman.

    Suswam, a lawyer, was elected into the House of Representatives in 1999 from Katsina Ala/Upom/Logo Constituency on the platform of the PDP.

    He was reelected into the HoR in 2003 and became governor in 2007.

    He was elected into the Senate in 2019 from Benue North East.

    However, he lost his re-election into the Senate in 2023.

    At the Katsina Ala meeting with Suswam were Mrs Margaret Icheen; PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Hon. Titus Uba; the zonal party chairman of the party, Hon. Azua Ashongu; North Central Secretary of PDP, Hon. Maurice Tsav; Member of Benue State House of Assembly representing Logo constituency, Rt. Hon. Samuel Shimapever Jiji; Hon. Terhemen Ndiirsaa; Hon. Mrs. Mwuese Ubebe; Elder Wuayolna; Bemgba Chia; Hon. Paul Ubwa; Hon. Alfred Iorpav and Hon. Bob Tyough.

  • Suswam declares to replace Ayu as PDP national chair

    Suswam declares to replace Ayu as PDP national chair

    Former Benue Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam has declared for the national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

    The former Senator of Benue North East declared this to the Benue chapter of the PDP, State Working Committee ( SWC) and PDP Caucus of the Benue North East Senatorial Zone at  separate meetings  in Makurdi and Katsina Ala Local towns  respectively .

    Suswam represented Katsina Ala, Ukum and Logo Federal constituency between 1999 and 2007 before he served as Governor from 2007 to 2015). 

    He lost bid to go the Senate in 2015 but got elected in into the Red Chamber in  2019. He lost his reelection bid in 2023 .

    Speaking at both meetings, Suswam said following tradition of the PDP ,he is the right person to replace the former PDP National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. 

    He solicited the support of PDP members from  Benue North East Senatorial zone and the SWC of the PDP in Benue state.

    Read Also: APC, PDP clash again over 2024 budget

    He said the blessing of Benue leaders of the party, including former  Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator David Mark, Senator Abba Moro and the SWC was crucial for his ambition.

    National BOT member of the party, Chief Mrs Margaret Icheen; Governorship candidate of PDP in 2023 Hon. Titus Uba; the zonal party chairman of the party, Hon. Azua Ashongu;  North Central secretary of PDP, Hon. Maurice Tsav; Member of Benue Assembly representing Logo constituency Hon. Samuel Shimapever Jiji;  Hon. Terhemen Ndiirsaa; Hon. Mrs. Mwuese Ubebe; Elder Wuayolna, Bemgba Chia, Hon. Paul Ubwa, Hon. Alfred Iorpav and Hon. Bob Tyough among many others who spoke for the Exco, Elder, youths, women and Caucus of the party for the zone, all passed vote of confidence on Suswam.

  • Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Prosecution closes case in Suswam, Oklobia’s trial

    Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Prosecution closes case in Suswam, Oklobia’s trial

    The prosecution announced the closure of its case on Wednesday in the trial of the former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam, and the finance commissioner during his tenure, Omadachi Oklobia before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Suswam and Oklobia are accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in an 11-count amended charge of diverting N3.1bn belonging to Benue state.

    The EFCC claimed that the N3.1b formed part of the proceeds of the sale of shares owned by Benue State and its firm, Benue Investment and Property Company Limited in some companies.

    On Wednesday, prosecuting lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe announced the closure of the prosecution’s case after the testimony of his eighth witness, Adewale Agunbiade.

    Agunbiade, a Compliance Officer with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) told the court that Suswam operated two accounts with his bank – a naira account and a dollar account.

    The witness said over $200,000 was deposited in the dollar account between August 2014 and July 2015.

    He said Suswam, on his own, paid $175,000 into the account between February 18 and July 2, 2015 a total of $175,000 was paid in as a cash deposit at the Garki Area 11 branch

    The prosecution tendered some documents through the witness, statement of transactions in both accounts from January 2007 – Dec 31, 2015.

    Read Also: Suswam loses bid to return to Senate

    Reading from the statement of account, Agunbiade gave details of other transactions in the dollar account including August 8, 2014, when he noted that a cash deposit of $10,000 was by Ibrahim A the bank’s Ikoyi branch.

    He said: “On 11th August 2014, there was a cash deposit of 10,000 dollars by Aremu at Garki, Area 3 branch; on 29th September 2014, a cash deposit of $10,000 was made by Ibrahim Sanni Magaji at Wapa, Kano branch.

    “On 29th October 2014, a cash deposit of $10,000 paid by self was made at Garki, Area 11 branch in the FCT; on 30 October 2014, a cash deposit by self of $10,000 was made at Area 11 Garki branch.

    “On 3rd November 2014, a cash deposit of $10000 by self was paid at Area 11, Garki branch; on 17th February 2015 a cash deposit of $20,000 was made by self at Area 11, Garki branch.”

    Under cross-examination by a lawyer to Suswam, Chinelo Ogbozor, the witness said he became a Compliance Officer in GTB in September 2020.

    Agunbiade said there were substantial steady credit inflows into the dollar account from 14 September 2011 to 16 September 2015,

    He said the credit inflows between 2014 and July 2, 2015, were not unusual.

    When asked if the two accounts were currently blocked, the witness said: “I do not know the status of the accounts as of today, but I believe they were restricted at some point.

    “I do not know the circumstances under which the accounts were restricted. I do not know if there is a court order freezing the accounts.”

    Under cross-examination by a lawyer for Oklobia, Paul Erokoro (SAN), Agunbiade said it was the EFCC that wrote his bank to demand information about the accounts.

    On whether the transactions in the accounts breached any known regulation, the witness said: “I did not notice any infraction in the transactions in the accounts.”

    When asked by the court how she intends to proceed, Ogbozor said she required time to consult with her client on what next step to take.

    Erokoro told the court that the client would make a no-case submission, which he said he could file within two weeks.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned till January 9 next year for the adoption of the second defendant’s written address in respect of his no-case submission and the possible opening of defence by the first defendant.

  • Suswam loses bid to return to Senate

    Suswam loses bid to return to Senate

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed the judgment of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which affirmed former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam as the senator representing Benue North East.

    In a unanimous judgment yesterday, a three-member panel held, among others, that Suswam was not the actual winner of the senatorial election held on February 25.

    The appellate court said the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal was wrong to have allowed the petition by Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and set aside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) return of Emmanuel Udende of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.

    The Court of Appeal held that the tribunal did not properly evaluate the evidence presented before it by the parties while hearing Suswam’s petition.

    It said the tribunal misled itself into arriving at an erroneous conclusion.

    The appellate court allowed the appeal filed by Udende and set aside the judgment of the tribunal.

    Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo, who read the judgment, said: “The judgment of the tribunal delivered on September 8 is hereby set aside.

    Read Also: Appeal Court sacks Suswam from Senate, affirms APC’s Udende as winner

    “The return of the appellant as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial election that was held on February 25 is hereby affirmed.”

    INEC had declared Udende the winner of the senatorial election having polled 135,573 votes while Suswam got 112,231 votes.

    Suswam challenged the outcome of the election at the tribunal, claiming that it was marred by over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Law, alterations, and falsification of results.

    In its judgment, the tribunal held that Suswam successfully established his case that irregularities took place in five out of seven local government areas in the senatorial district.

    The tribunal cancelled 51,895 votes entered for Udende and cancelled 21,229 votes entered for Suswam.

    After subtracting the cancelled votes, the tribunal had allocated 90,590 votes to Suswam and gave Udende 82,699 votes.

  • Suswam rules out 60/40 sharing formula with Ortom, others

    Immediate past governor of Benue state Gabriel Suswam has ruled out the possibility of sharing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in the state in favour of Governor Samuel Ortom.

    Suswam spoke yesterday at the civic reception organised by Zone A people in Ushongo.

    The former governor, who is the PDP leader in the state, maintained sharing the party’s structure to favour anyone can never work under his watch.

    He told those hiding behind Ortom to demand automatic tickets from the PDP had better get to work, stressing that no such thing will happen in Benue state.

    According to him: “On the rumour making rounds about 60/40,  wish to inform you, our teaming party supporters, that no such thing will happen in this party under my watch.

    “Those returning to our party are free to do so but making unimaginable demands is what the party will not condone.

    “We have been in series of meetings over this matter and we hope the national leadership will also adhere to the standard that binds us together, than those that are poised to eminently destroy us.

    “Those hiding behind the Governor to demand automatic tickets should better get to work as no such thing will happen here in Benue.

    PDP National vice chairman for the North central, Hon. Theophilus Dakas, sided withSuswam’s rejection of the sharing formula.

    Describing him as an inestimable asset to the PDP, Dakas said: “Suswam has paid his dues in the party. So, the issue of 60/40% and automatic ticket of returnees is not worth mentioning when Suswam is involved.”

    Ortom was represented by his Chief of Staff, TerwaseOrbunde.

     

  • Suswam arraigned on third charge, gets N500m bail

    Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, was arraigned yesterday before the Federal High Court, Abuja on a three-count charge of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

    Suswam is, in the charge filed by the Federal Government on June 26 this year, accused illegally of concealing weapons in his Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic car with Registration No: BWR 135 AH  parked at Dunes Investment and Properties Ltd, No. 44 Aguiyi lronsi Way, Maitama, Abuja,

    He is also accused of “converting 25 designer wrist watches worth several millions of naira being properties you derived directly from corruption and concealed in your Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic with Registration No BWR 135 AH.”

    The ex-governor was also accused of being in possession of “one(l) Gloek Pistol with serial number KML 275, one (1) mini rifle with serial number 54976 and one(l) AK 47 with serial number 5622620063, which were concealed in your Mercedes Benz 550 4Matic car with registration no: BWR 135 AH.”

    Suswam pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him yesterday before Justice Babatunde Quadri.

    The latest charge brings to three the number of criminal charges now pending against Suswam before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The ex-governor is accused of diverting proceeds of the sale of Benue State’s investment in some companies. The case is pending before Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

    He is, in the second charge, accused of diverting funds meant for SURE P projects in the state. The case was pending before Justice Gabriel Kolawole before the judge’s recent elevation to the Court of Appeal. The case is expected to be reassigned to a new judge.

    After his arraignment yesterday, the prosecution lawyer, Abubakar Kayode Alilu, sought a date for the commencement of trial.

    He told the court order that the defendant be remanded in prison.

    Suswam’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), informed the court about his client’s pending bail application.

    Erokoro moved the application which Justice Quadri granted.

    The judge admitted Suswam to bail at N500 million and one surety at the same amount.

    The judge said the surety, who must be a resident of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), should swear to an affidavit of means, following which the surety’s residential address is to be verified by officials of the court.

    The judge adjourned to October 24 this year for the commencement of trial.