Why Nigerians Have Abandoned PDP - Suswam Drops Bombshell on Party's Leadership Crisis

Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has stirred the hornet's nest with a brutally honest assessment of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that Nigerians have completely lost confidence in the party due to persistent internal crises and failed leadership.

Appearing on Arise TV's The Morning Show on Tuesday, Suswam did not mince words as he painted a grim picture of PDP's future, accusing its leaders of failing to resolve deep-seated problems that have alienated the party's supporters and stakeholders across the country.

"There are many fundamental problems in PDP, and those problems have not been sorted out. A lot of stakeholders have mentally checked out. That's because of the leadership failure within the party,ÔÇØ Suswam declared.

His comments come at a time when the PDP is grappling with growing disunity, public disenchantment, and internal wrangling over the path to 2027-issues that have sparked fears that Nigeria's largest opposition party may implode before the next general elections.

According to Suswam, the party's inability to unite around transparent leadership and credible candidates has made it unattractive to Nigerians who once looked up to it as a viable alternative.

"Two factors will determine PDP's survival-leadership and candidate credibility. Right now, people have lost confidence completely. This is a party that once had strong structures across Nigeria. Now, even with all that, we struggle to win elections because the leadership is faulty.ÔÇØ

He also condemned the growing perception that the party's presidential ticket goes to the highest bidder, warning that such practices are destroying PDP from within.

"When someone sits and just declares he wants to be the presidential candidate of PDP without genuine national interest or grassroots support, that won't work anymore,ÔÇØ he cautioned.

Suswam's outburst follows the recent resolution by PDP Governors to reject any coalition or merger arrangement ahead of the 2027 presidential elections-putting them at odds with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has been championing a grand opposition alliance.

In a communique issued after a meeting in Ibadan on Monday, April 14, the PDP Governors insisted:

"The party will not join any coalition or merger.ÔÇØ

This decision came just hours before Chief Bode George, a respected member of PDP's Board of Trustees, delivered another blow-rejecting the idea of Atiku flying the party's flag again in 2027.

George stated emphatically that Atiku's reemergence would "signify the end of PDP in Nigerian politics,ÔÇØ a sentiment that echoes the concerns of many party faithful who fear the PDP is being dragged toward self-destruction by entrenched political interests.

Atiku, who has been contesting Nigeria's presidency for over 30 years, remains a divisive figure within PDP. With growing internal rebellion and high-profile dissent like Suswam's, it appears the party is facing an existential crisis that could seal its fate before 2027.