Former Governor of Benue State and ex-lawmaker, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has expressed deep concern over the lingering internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that the party risks complete collapse before the 2027 general elections if urgent interventions are not made.
Suswam likened the party’s current state to a patient in intensive care, saying without decisive action by the leadership, the PDP may not survive the political turbulence threatening its foundation.
“The PDP, is it in the hospital? Yes. Is it in ICU to some extent? Yes, it is. Can it be rescued? Yes, if the proper medicine is applied,” he stated.
Internal Crisis and Leadership Woes
The PDP is presently grappling with multiple internal disputes — including a leadership tussle over the position of National Secretary — and a broader rift between key stakeholders such as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
These conflicts, according to Suswam, have left many party members disillusioned and uncertain about the PDP’s future.
“A lot of people are hanging on, waiting to see the ultimate end of this party,” he said.
Saraki-Led Reconciliation Efforts
Suswam pointed to a recent intervention effort led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, involving both sitting and former PDP governors, aimed at reconciling factions and rebuilding trust within the party.
He said the outcome of that initiative would determine whether the PDP has a future heading into the next election cycle.
“Whether there is light at the end of the tunnel in the efforts made by Senator Saraki — that will be seen in the next two weeks,” Suswam noted.
The former governor emphasized that should the reconciliation initiative fail, the PDP’s survival chances would diminish drastically, possibly leading to its political extinction.
“If the Saraki-led effort fails, the PDP might cease to exist,” he added.
