A former Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, on Wednesday joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) few hours after quitting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Suswam after joining the ruling party obtained a membership card of the APC.
The state Organising Secretary of the APC , James Ornguga, presented the membership card to Suswam on behalf the state chairman of the party.
Speaking after picking his membership card at Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of the state, Suswam urged all his supporters to register for the party immediately.
He also urged people to support Gov Hyacinth Alia to fulfill his mandate.
The former governor said a formal ceremony would be held for him and his supporters at a later date.
Suswam had earlier in the day resigned his membership of his erstwhile party, PDP, citing unending internal conflicts for his decision.
“The party that once stood as a symbol of 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 clear or credible pathway to resolution,” the former governor had stated in his resignation letter.
Suswam expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided him by PDP.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. For decades, the PDP provided me with a platform to serve the Nigerian people in various capacities: as a member of the House of Representatives, as governor of Benue State and as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“For these opportunities and the trust reposed in me at different times, I remain sincerely grateful,” he further said.
Suswam’s defection into the APC signal a significant political move by the two-term governor and former Senator who represented Benue North East Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2019 and 2023.
Suswam, a founding member of PDP, had remained in the party for 27 years.
