Former Governor of Benue State and senator, Gabriel Suswam, has sounded an alarm over the state of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cautioning that the party may not survive up to the 2027 general elections if urgent internal reforms are not carried out.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Tuesday, Suswam pointed to deepening internal conflicts within the PDP, particularly the unresolved dispute over the position of national secretary and the ongoing power tussle between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
In a stark metaphor, Suswam likened the PDP to a critically ill patient.
“For now, I would say that PDP is in ICU. Can it be rescued? Yes, if the proper medicine is applied,” he said.
He noted that discontent is growing among party members, many of whom are watching closely as events unfold.
“There is a lot of discontent within the party, and many are waiting to see how it ends,” Suswam remarked.
The former governor emphasized that the outcome of ongoing reconciliation efforts, spearheaded by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, will be decisive.
“Whether there is light at the end of the tunnel in the efforts made by Senator Saraki will be seen in the next two weeks,” he said.
“If the proper steps are not taken, the PDP may not make it to the 2027 election.”
In response to the crisis, the PDP leadership has taken steps to bridge internal divides.
The party appointed Saraki to lead a seven-member committee tasked with harmonizing strategies for its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and convention.
The Guardian reports that the committee’s mandate includes facilitating reconciliation among aggrieved members and unifying the party’s leadership structure ahead of crucial party events scheduled for later this month and in August.
Following a closed-door meeting with fellow PDP governors, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed reaffirmed this objective.
He stated that the committee’s work is aimed at resolving the party’s internal disputes and ensuring a cohesive direction.
“The goal is to ensure a smooth NEC and convention, promoting unity within the party as it navigates its challenges,” Mohammed said.
Other members of the committee include Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Peter Mbah (Enugu), along with Senators Seriake Dickson and Ibrahim Dankwambo, and former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu.
