Former Cross River South Senator and ex-gubernatorial candidate Gershom Bassey has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing persistent internal crises and deep divisions that he says have eroded the party’s foundational values. His departure, announced in a formal letter, highlights ongoing instability within one of Nigeria’s historic political parties as the 2027 governorship election in Cross River State approaches.
Bassey, who represented Cross River South Senatorial District in the 8th and 9th National Assemblies, stated he made the decision “with a heavy heart.” In his resignation letter dated March 12, 2026, and addressed to his ward leadership in Calabar South, he asserted that recent events confirm the party is “drifting further away from the ideals that once bound us together.” He pointed specifically to the continued split in the party’s structures, which he said has weakened its unity.
The former senator expressed profound disappointment in the leadership, lamenting an “apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it.” Bassey argued that these developments have transformed the PDP from a respected democratic institution embodying national aspirations into “a shadow of its former self.”
He emphasized that his resignation was a matter of principle, noting he had invested significant personal resources and commitment in building the party over the years. “I would rather step aside than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles I believe in,” he stated.
Bassey’s exit adds to the PDP’s challenges in Cross River State, a region where the party once held substantial sway but has recently faced repeated internal strife. His future political alignment remains unclear as the state gears up for the next governorship contest. The resignation underscores the persistent crisis of cohesion within major Nigerian parties and raises questions about the opposition landscape in Cross River ahead of the 2027 polls. Bassey did not indicate any immediate plans to join another political platform.
