"PDP Is in ICU and Might Not Survive Till 2027" – Ex-Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam Sounds the Alarm

 

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The political atmosphere within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a critical point, and if nothing drastic is done soon, the once-mighty opposition party may not live to see the 2027 general elections. This is the grave warning issued by former Governor of Benue State and current Senator, Gabriel Suswam, during his appearance on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Tuesday, May 13.

In a candid and eye-opening interview, Suswam didn’t mince words as he expressed deep concerns about the current state of the PDP. He compared the party’s situation to a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital, describing the PDP’s condition as dire and uncertain. According to him, many party loyalists and supporters are losing hope fast, as internal crises and unresolved leadership struggles threaten to completely tear the party apart.

“A lot of people are hanging on, waiting to see the ultimate end of this party,” Suswam said.
“Whether there is light at the end of the tunnel in the efforts made by Senator Saraki, that will be seen in the next two weeks.
For now, I would say that PDP, is it in the hospital? Yes.
Is it in ICU to some extent? Yes, it is.
Can it be rescued? Yes, if the proper medicine is applied.”

This alarming metaphor paints a clear picture: the PDP is in a very fragile and dangerous state, and without the “right medicine,” it might not survive. Suswam’s warning is not just a statement—it’s a wake-up call to all PDP leaders and stakeholders that the time to act is now, before the party completely collapses under its own weight.

Deep Cracks Within the Party

The PDP is currently battling several serious internal conflicts. One major issue is the leadership tussle over the national secretary position, which has divided key members and left the party without clear direction. Even more damaging is the ongoing feud between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. This bitter fallout has not only caused a political earthquake in Rivers State but has also created ripple effects that are shaking the foundations of the party at the national level.

Can Bukola Saraki Save the Party?

Despite these deep divisions, there is still a flicker of hope. Suswam highlighted the recent reconciliation efforts being spearheaded by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. According to him, Saraki has been engaging in peace talks involving current and former PDP governors, all in a bid to mend fences and restore unity within the party.

Suswam admitted that these talks may be the last opportunity to save the PDP from total disintegration. The next few weeks, he warned, are extremely crucial. What happens within this short window of time could determine if the party regains its strength or fades into political irrelevance.

“Whether there is light at the end of the tunnel in the efforts made by Senator Saraki, that will be seen in the next two weeks,” he said.

He went further to explain that the comparison to an ICU patient means the party’s chances of survival are about 50-50. In other words, the PDP could recover if the right steps are taken now—or it could die if the leadership continues to play politics with its future.

“Can it be rescued? Yes, if the proper medicine is applied,” he repeated, leaving no doubt about the urgency of the situation.

The Clock Is Ticking

As things stand, many Nigerians who once looked up to the PDP as a strong alternative to the ruling party are beginning to lose faith. The internal fights, public embarrassments, and lack of unity have weakened the party’s influence across the country. If the current leadership fails to put their house in order, the PDP may go down in history not just as a fallen giant, but as a party that had every chance to rise again—but failed to take it.

For now, all eyes are on the reconciliation team led by Bukola Saraki and the key decisions that will be made in the coming days. The question remains: Will the PDP survive this storm, or are we witnessing the final chapter of a once-great political force in Nigeria?