Senator Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue State has thrown his hat into the ring to contest for the National Chairmanship position of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The seat is open to candidates from northern Nigeria, according to an informal rotational arrangement for party officials.
Incumbent acting Chairman Ambassador Umar Illyya Damagum is also contesting. He assumed the role upon the forced exit of the substantive Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, in 2023
Suswam is from Benue State in the North-Central region and he believes he is the best man for the job.
He says he prefers the selection process to be done through a consensus-building process among party stakeholders, rather than an election which could be rancorous.
Suswam expressed concerns about sabotage and damage inflicted on the party by some members masquerading as leaders. He cited the purported congress in his state as an example of rascality that led to the party’s comprehensive defeat in the last polls.
“Some people want to hoodwink us because they want to control the entire party structures in the state. Their actions led to the comprehensive defeat of the party in the last polls and we must stand firm not to allow them to have their way again.
”What they are enjoying is a short-term victory as you cannot build anything on nothing”, he affirmed.
Ambassador Damagun is reportedly supported by political forces loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Some party members alleged that Wike, in turn, is working for the ruling party, APC, to weaken the main opposition in the run-up to the next general elections in 2027.
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