Aide denies Suswam’s APC defection rumour, says Alia’s dinner non-political

Bartholomew Bede, media aide to former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam, has dismissed rumours that his principal is defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claim as “an unholy rumour without substance.”

In a statement issued Friday, Bede said the former governor’s attendance at a dinner hosted by Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi was purely a social courtesy, not a political alignment.

“Moments ago, I received calls from well-meaning Benuelites and leaders, alerting me to trending news suggesting that Senator Suswam has joined the APC,” Bede said. “Some even claimed he would be formally received by Governor Alia at the Government House banquet. I debunk this unholy rumour with all vehemence, as it doesn’t represent Suswam’s interest or that of his supporters.”

Bede clarified that the invitation was extended to all key stakeholders in Benue, irrespective of party affiliation.

“Two days ago, Governor Alia respectfully invited Senator Suswam, among other stakeholders, to a state banquet scheduled for October 10, 2025,” he explained. “As a former governor and stakeholder in the Benue project, it was only courteous for him to attend.”

He stressed that there was no indication that the dinner was a political event or a defection ceremony.

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