Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to The Nation, Suswam, popularly called the Black Cat, defected alongside the former Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii; a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Agatu/Apa Federal Constituency, Hon. Ojema Ojotu; and former Benue North-East Senator, Professor David Iornem.
Signs of the defection were visible across Makurdi, the state capital, on Friday, as streets were dotted with banners and posters announcing their move to the APC. Residents said a pre-defection dinner was also held to consolidate the shift.
The development triggered jubilation among Suswam’s supporters, particularly in his hometown, Anyiin, and the Ayilamo settlement, where locals took to the streets chanting his traditional title, “Dom Agya! Dom Agya!”
This is the first time Suswam is leaving the PDP since beginning his political career in 1999. He was first elected to the House of Representatives to represent Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum Federal Constituency, later serving two terms as Benue State Governor under the PDP platform.
After an initial setback in his bid for the Senate, Suswam returned to win the Benue North-East Senatorial seat, which he held until his most recent political move.
As of press time, Suswam was said to be holding a closed-door meeting with his loyalists to finalise the date of his formal declaration.
