Former Benue State Governor and ex-senator, Gabriel Suswam, has dismissed widespread rumours suggesting he plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released on Friday by his media aide, Mr. Bede Bartholomew, Suswam described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that he has no intention of joining the ruling party.
The clarification followed online speculation that the former governor would officially cross over to the APC during a state dinner organised by Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.
Bartholomew explained that the former governor only honoured a formal invitation from Governor Alia to attend a state banquet, which was meant for key stakeholders and not a political gathering.
“Moments ago, I received calls from concerned Benue citizens alerting me to fake reports alleging that Sen. Gabriel Suswam has defected to the APC and would be received by Governor Alia at the Government House banquet,” Bartholomew said.
“I debunk this unholy rumour in its entirety. It has no truth or substance. The governor merely extended a courtesy invitation to Suswam, as he did to other stakeholders, to attend the state banquet slated for October 10, 2025,” he added.
He emphasised that there was nothing in the invitation to suggest it was a political event or a defection ceremony, urging the public to disregard the misinformation.
Bartholomew further noted that as a former governor and a stakeholder in the Benue project, Suswam remains committed to the peace and progress of the state regardless of party lines.
“The former governor advises his supporters and well-wishers to ignore the baseless rumour, which he described as a lie from the deepest pit of hell,” the statement concluded.