Former Benue State Governor and ex-Senator, Gabriel Suswam, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pointing to persistent internal conflicts and a lack of cohesion within the opposition party.

The resignation, communicated in a letter dated February 4, 2026, was addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area, and shared publicly on Facebook by Suswam’s Chief of Staff, Moses Ukeyima.

In his letter, Suswam explained that his decision was prompted by the party’s failure to resolve longstanding internal disputes affecting its leadership, structure, discipline, and ideological direction.

He wrote:

“I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), effective from the date of this letter. This decision has not been taken lightly. For decades, the PDP provided me a platform to serve the Nigerian people—as a Member of the House of Representatives, Governor of Benue State, and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—for which I remain sincerely grateful.

“However, the party that once symbolised cohesion, internal democracy, and progressive opposition has, regrettably, become plagued by persistent and unresolved internal conflicts. These disputes, spanning leadership, structure, discipline, and ideology, have been allowed to fester without any credible pathway to resolution.”

Suswam noted that repeated attempts at reconciliation had failed, leaving him unable to align his personal convictions with the party’s current state.

He added:

“I believe that political parties must serve as platforms for ideas, discipline, and constructive engagement—not arenas of endless internal warfare. Regrettably, the current state of affairs within the PDP no longer aligns with these ideals.”

He expressed hope that the PDP would eventually overcome its internal crises and find stability, while affirming his decision to step aside from the party.

As of the time of reporting, the PDP leadership had yet to issue a response to Suswam’s resignation.

Former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina, has been hospitalised in Abuja after he reportedly collapsed on Tuesday while trying to access his office.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media assistant, Emmanuel Ekwe, who said the collapse was caused by complications arising from an untreated knee injury.

According to Ekwe, the injury caused Maina to lose his balance, leading to a fall in which he hit his head on a staircase.

“Dr Abdulrasheed Maina slumped on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, while attempting to access his office premises. The incident followed complications from an untreated knee injury, which caused him to lose balance and fall, resulting in his head hitting the staircase,” the statement said.

He added that medical personnel immediately administered first aid before rushing Maina to a private hospital in Abuja for urgent treatment.
Ekwe noted that Maina is currently under close medical observation, with doctors monitoring his condition.

“Following a preliminary medical assessment, one of the attending doctors advised that arrangements for an air ambulance medical evacuation be considered should his condition fail to stabilise within a short period,” he said.

The family, according to the statement, has appealed for privacy and prayers as treatment continues, adding that further updates would be communicated as necessary.

Maina is a central figure in Nigeria’s pension reform controversy, having headed the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms before being prosecuted over allegations of large-scale pension fraud.

In November 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him of money laundering involving N2.1bn in pension funds and sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment.

The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction and sentence in May 2023.

Despite the ruling, Maina was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in February 2025 after benefiting from statutory remission for good conduct, with authorities explaining that his sentence was calculated from his initial arrest in October 2019.

Since his release, he has largely stayed out of public view, though developments surrounding him continue to attract public attention due to the magnitude of the pension scandal.

A socio-political group in the South-South region has appealed to former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider contesting the 2027 presidential election, citing his experience in governance and commitment to democratic values.

The call was made in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, through a communiqué issued by the South-South Vanguard Renaissance Group and signed by its spokesperson, Mr Henry Tamuno.

Tamuno said the group believes Jonathan’s experience as president positions him to contribute meaningfully to national leadership at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic and governance challenges.

He noted that the former president’s leadership style and record in office continue to resonate with Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in the country.

Describing Jonathan as a seasoned democrat, Tamuno said his tenure demonstrated a commitment to national unity and democratic principles that deserve renewed consideration ahead of the 2027 polls.

He stressed that the group’s appeal was not driven by regional or sectional interests, insisting that leadership should be assessed based on competence, experience and a national outlook rather than geographical origin.

According to him, Nigerians are currently experiencing hardship under the administration of the All Progressives Congress, making it necessary to reassess leadership options ahead of the next general election.

Tamuno also cautioned against framing the 2027 election along regional lines, noting that Jonathan enjoyed broad national support during his time in office.

The group maintained that the forthcoming general election offers Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on leadership choices and demand policies that promote economic stability, national cohesion and inclusive governance.

He urged Nigerians to remain actively engaged in the democratic process and to continue expressing support for leaders capable of steering the country toward stability as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

The duo appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government.

In the first count, Malami was accused of knowingly aiding terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office while he served as Attorney-General in November 2022.

The prosecution alleged that his failure to act amounted to abetment of terrorism financing, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Malami and his son were jointly charged in counts two to five for offences bordering on unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as engaging in conduct preparatory to acts of terrorism.

According to the charges, the defendants allegedly possessed, without a valid licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in December 2025.

The prosecution contended that the possession of the firearm and ammunition constituted preparatory conduct for terrorism, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and relevant provisions of the Firearms Act, 2004.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read in open court.

Following their plea, prosecuting counsel, Dr C. S. Eze, informed the court that the case was ready for trial and applied for the defendants to be remanded in DSS custody pending the commencement of proceedings.

However, lead defence counsel, S. A. Alua (SAN), made an oral application for bail on behalf of the defendants.

Justice Abdulmalik declined the request, ruling that the court could only entertain a formal written bail application. She consequently directed the defence to file and serve the appropriate processes.

The judge adjourned the case to February 20, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and possible commencement of trial.

The DSS had earlier sought the continued detention of the former AGF to conclude investigations into alleged terrorism financing following his release from the Kuje Correctional Centre in December 2025.

Malami was initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of conspiracy with his wife, Asabe, and their son to conceal proceeds of unlawful activities valued at about N8.7bn.

The EFCC alleged that the offences involved the use of multiple corporate entities, bank accounts and high-value real estate transactions in Abuja and other locations.

The former AGF, his wife and son were arraigned on December 29, 2025, on 16 counts bordering on money laundering and conspiracy, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Meanwhile, Malami has also challenged an interim court order forfeiting some of his properties to the Federal Government, insisting that the assets were legally acquired and duly declared.