Aide: Suswam not defecting to APC — attendance at Alia’s dinner not political

Bartholomew Bede, media aide to Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue, says his principal has no plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement on Friday, Bede dismissed reports of Suswam’s alleged defection, describing them as “unholy rumour”.

The statement followed social media claims that the former governor would officially join the APC at a state dinner organised by Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue.

Bede said Suswam was merely honouring an invitation to the event, describing the reports of defection as “false and mischievous”.

“Moments ago, I received telephone calls from well-meaning Benuelites and leaders, alerting me to trending news on Benue’s social media space purporting that the former governor of Benue, Sen. Suswam, has defected to the APC,” he said.

“Some even alleged that Suswam will be received by Gov. Hyacinth Alia this evening at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.

“I debunk this unholy rumour with all vehemence, as it doesn’t represent the current interests of Suswam or that of his supporters across the state.”

He said the invitation extended to his principal was not political, but a courtesy extended to all key stakeholders in the state.

“What I know is that two days ago, Alia respectfully extended an invitation to Suswam, among other stakeholders, expressing his desire to attend a state banquet slated for 10th October 2025,” he said.

“It should be noted that as a former governor of the state, Suswam is a stakeholder in the Benue project; thus, his reason for accepting the invitation.”

Bede added that there was no indication in the letter that the event was a political gathering or a decamping ceremony.

“The former governor advises his supporters and well-wishers to disregard this rumour, as it is baseless, aimless, and a lie from the deepest pit of hell,” he said.