Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, has dismissed reports claiming he is preparing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released on Friday by his media aide, Bede Bartholomew, Suswam described the speculation as “baseless, aimless, and a lie from the deepest pit of hell.”

Gossip News Now reports that the rumours emerged following an invitation by Governor Hyacinth Alia, who had called key stakeholders to a dinner at the Government House in Makurdi. Online reports suggested the event would be used to formally welcome Suswam into the APC.

However, Bartholomew clarified that the dinner had no political significance and that the former governor merely accepted a courtesy invitation extended to him as a key stakeholder in the state.

“Two days ago, Governor Alia respectfully invited Suswam, along with other stakeholders, to a state banquet scheduled for October 10, 2025. As a former governor of Benue, Suswam remains a major stakeholder in the state’s affairs, hence his decision to honour the invitation,” the aide explained.

Bartholomew emphasized that the invitation made no reference to a political rally or defection ceremony.

He said, “Moments ago, I received several calls from concerned Benue citizens alerting me to reports on social media claiming that the former governor has defected to the APC and would be formally received by Governor Alia at the Banquet Hall this evening.

“I vehemently debunk this unholy rumour as it does not reflect the current political stance of Suswam or that of his supporters across the state.”

The statement reaffirmed Suswam’s loyalty to the PDP and urged his supporters to disregard the false claims.

“The former governor wishes to assure his supporters and well-wishers that he remains firmly committed to the PDP. The rumour of his defection is a lie from the deepest pit of hell,” Bartholomew concluded.