By Didimoko A Didimoko
Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has issued a stark warning about the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggesting that the party could face collapse ahead of the 2027 elections unless decisive action is taken to address its internal challenges.
The PDP is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis, with factions contending over the position of national secretary.
This turmoil has further been compounded by a series of defections, most notably from Delta State with recent high-profile exits of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and several other former party leaders and members, who have since joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), signalling a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
In an interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show monitored in Lagos on Tuesday, Suswam described the situation as critical, emphasising that the PDP’s survival is uncertain. He noted that many party members are growing increasingly disillusioned, with some questioning the party’s ability to rebound from its current predicament.
“A lot of people are waiting to see how things will unfold, but many have already lost faith in the party’s future,” Suswam stated. “There is a growing sense that the PDP may not survive this crisis.”
Despite the bleak outlook, Suswam expressed cautious optimism about ongoing efforts by some PDP governors and former governors, spearheaded by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. He acknowledged that Saraki’s leadership may be pivotal in determining the party’s fate.
“Whether there is hope for the PDP depends on the outcome of the initiatives led by Senator Saraki. We should have a clearer picture in the next two weeks. As it stands, I would say the PDP is in critical condition. It’s in the hospital, perhaps in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Can it be saved? Yes, but only if the right measures are taken,” Suswam said.
He warned, however, that the party’s chances of survival are currently uncertain. “If Saraki’s efforts fail, the PDP may not recover,” he concluded, underscoring the precarious state of the opposition party.
