By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His resignation was conveyed in a letter dated Wednesday, personally signed and addressed to the leadership of his Mbagber Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area. A copy of the letter was made available to journalists in Makurdi.

Suswam stated that the decision to leave the party was difficult, acknowledging the platform it provided for him to serve as a Member of the House of Representatives, a two-term Governor of Benue, and a Senator.

“For these opportunities and the trust reposed in me at different times, I remain sincerely grateful,” he said.

However, he cited the party’s protracted internal crisis as the primary reason for his departure, noting that all efforts by well-meaning members to resolve the disputes had failed.

“The party that once stood as a symbol of cohesion, internal democracy, and progressive opposition has regrettably become plagued by persistent and unresolved internal conflicts,” Suswam said.

He criticized the PDP for being “perpetually trapped in crisis mode,” describing it as “an institution in political intensive care, with no consensus diagnosis and no agreed treatment plan in sight.”

The former governor explained that he could no longer reconcile his continued membership with his personal convictions and desire to contribute to nation-building within a stable political framework.

“I believe that political parties must serve as platforms for ideas, discipline, and constructive engagement, not arenas of endless internal warfare. Regrettably, the current state of affairs within the PDP no longer aligns with these ideals,” he stated.

Suswam concluded by saying he considered it “honourable and necessary to step aside,” while wishing the party well should it eventually resolve its “longstanding internal contradictions.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kogi State Government has said that the temporary closure of schools across the state was a preventive decision, taken on the basis of credible intelligence and the overriding need to put protective measures in place around schools to safeguard pupils, students, and teachers.

Speaking to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, explained that the decision was not borne out of panic, but of responsibility, stressing that the government chose to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents.

He said, “Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to immediately deploy necessary modalities to ensure that schools resume academic activities as soon as it is safe, so as not to disrupt the state’s academic calendar.”

Fanwo commended the security agencies for their timely and actionable intelligence, noting that such cooperation underscores the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture.

He reassured the people of Kogi State that the government is fully on top of the situation, adding that security agencies are already working around the clock to identify, locate, and decisively deal with criminal hideouts.

“The safety of our children, teachers, and educational institutions remains non-negotiable. This administration will always prioritise lives while ensuring continuity in governance and education,” Fanwo said.

Meanwhile, a message from the Kogi State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Pastor Reuben Jimoh, to his members stated that the state government has decided to fast-track the midterm break into the emergency lockdown.

“The midterm break for school has been fast-forwarded and we shall be resuming back on 16/02/2026. ‎Therefore, there will be no school tomorrow until 16th/02/2026.

“No school should go against this adjustment,” Jimoh said.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, alongside his son, Abdulazeez Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They face a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

Justice Joyce Abdumalik presided over the arraignment, as reported by Channels Television.

The arraignment follows the recent grant of bail to the former minister, his wife, and son by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a separate, ongoing money laundering case.

The court proceedings will determine the next steps in this new case as the charges are heard.