A former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has denied rumors of his defection to the All Progressive Congress (APC). In a statement released by his media aide, Bede Bartholomew, on Friday, Suswam clarified that he had no plans to leave his current party. The rumors had emerged after Governor Hyacinth Alia invited stakeholders, including Suswam, to a state dinner, sparking speculation that Suswam would use the occasion to announce his defection to the APC.

According to Bartholomew, Suswam’s attendance at the dinner was merely a response to the governor’s invitation, extended to him as a stakeholder in the state. The invitation, received two days prior to the event, was for a state banquet scheduled for October 10, 2025, and did not indicate that it was a political event or a defection ceremony. Bartholomew emphasized that Suswam’s decision to attend the dinner was based on his status as a former governor and his interest in the state’s affairs.

The rumors of Suswam’s defection had been circulating on social media, with some reports claiming that he would be received by Governor Alia at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi. However, Bartholomew strongly denied these claims, stating that they did not represent Suswam’s current interests or those of his supporters. As a former governor, Suswam is considered a stakeholder in the state, and his attendance at the dinner was seen as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation with the current administration.

The denial of the defection rumors comes as a significant development in Benue State’s political landscape. With the state’s political stakeholders engaged in various activities, the clarification on Suswam’s party affiliation provides insight into the current political dynamics. As the state continues to navigate its political terrain, the relationship between stakeholders, including former and current governors, is likely to remain a subject of interest and scrutiny.