Benue PDP summons Gabriel Suswam over alleged diversion of campaign fund

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue has summoned Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of the state, and four others over alleged anti-party activities.

The four others are Terngu Tsegba, a former speaker of the Benue house of assembly; Richard Gbande, a former federal lawmaker; Terseer Tsumba, a former speaker; and Nicholas Ada, a professor.

Bemgba Iortyom, Benue PDP spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday that Suswan is accused of diverting campaign funds, creating factions and sponsoring thuggery against the party.

Iortyom alleged that Suswan was the spokesperson to Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, during the 2023 elections at the expense of the party’s governorship candidate.

“The action has become necessary following the invasion of the party’s state secretariat in Makurdi yesterday by thugs and hoodlums led by the suspended state chairman, John Ngbede, which credible intelligence reveals was under the sponsorship and support of the Suswam-led group,” the statement reads.

“PDP observes that in the particular case of Senator Suswam, weighty allegations have been mounting against him of acts inimical to the good health and interests of the party, including diversion of campaign funds during the 2023 elections, sponsoring of factions and thuggery within the party, sponsoring of publication of internal party disputes, sponsoring of court litigations against the party without recourse to the internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the party, among several other things.

“Such acts and many others which Senator Suswam and his cohorts are accused of constitute a violation of Section 58 of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017), and consequently, in line with provisions of the same Section of the PDP Constitution.”

The Benue PDP spokesperson said Suswam and the other chieftains are expected to appear before the party’s state working committee on Thursday.

Over the past few months, Benue PDP has been battling internal wrangling as the party is divided into different factions.

Amid the conflict in the party, John Ngbede, Benue PDP chairman, was suspended.

On Tuesday, Samuel Ortom, former governor of the state, was suspended by the faction loyal to Ngbede.