A former Senator representing Cross River State Southern Senatorial District, Gershom Bassey, has said persistent internal crises and unresolved conflicts within the Peoples Democratic Party forced him to resign from the party. Bassey, who submitted his resignation letter dated March 12, 2026, to his Ward 9 in Calabar South Local Government Area, said the decision was taken after careful reflection on the current state of the party. Speaking on the letter in Calabar on Friday, the former governorship aspirant in the 2023 election noted that leaving the party was a painful decision, considering that he was among those who helped build the PDP and invested significant resources and commitment toward strengthening it over the years. He, however, said the party has recently been plagued by deep divisions and prolonged internal crises, which, according to him, have weakened its unity and made it difficult for him to remain optimistic about its future. “The most recent crisis has unfortunately made it clear that the party is drifting further away from the ideals that once bound us together. “For someone who was present at the birth of this great party, watching its gradual decline has been deeply disappointing,” he explained. He also expressed disappointment over what he described as “the failure of party elders and leaders to take decisive steps to restore discipline, unity and a shared vision within the party.” “What makes this even more painful is the apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it,” he added. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. Bassey, who submitted his resignation letter dated March 12, 2026, to his Ward 9 in Calabar South Local Government Area, said the decision was taken after careful reflection on the current state of the party. Speaking on the letter in Calabar on Friday, the former governorship aspirant in the 2023 election noted that leaving the party was a painful decision, considering that he was among those who helped build the PDP and invested significant resources and commitment toward strengthening it over the years. He, however, said the party has recently been plagued by deep divisions and prolonged internal crises, which, according to him, have weakened its unity and made it difficult for him to remain optimistic about its future. “The most recent crisis has unfortunately made it clear that the party is drifting further away from the ideals that once bound us together. “For someone who was present at the birth of this great party, watching its gradual decline has been deeply disappointing,” he explained. He also expressed disappointment over what he described as “the failure of party elders and leaders to take decisive steps to restore discipline, unity and a shared vision within the party.” “What makes this even more painful is the apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it,” he added. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. Speaking on the letter in Calabar on Friday, the former governorship aspirant in the 2023 election noted that leaving the party was a painful decision, considering that he was among those who helped build the PDP and invested significant resources and commitment toward strengthening it over the years. He, however, said the party has recently been plagued by deep divisions and prolonged internal crises, which, according to him, have weakened its unity and made it difficult for him to remain optimistic about its future. “The most recent crisis has unfortunately made it clear that the party is drifting further away from the ideals that once bound us together. “For someone who was present at the birth of this great party, watching its gradual decline has been deeply disappointing,” he explained. He also expressed disappointment over what he described as “the failure of party elders and leaders to take decisive steps to restore discipline, unity and a shared vision within the party.” “What makes this even more painful is the apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it,” he added. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. He, however, said the party has recently been plagued by deep divisions and prolonged internal crises, which, according to him, have weakened its unity and made it difficult for him to remain optimistic about its future. “The most recent crisis has unfortunately made it clear that the party is drifting further away from the ideals that once bound us together. “For someone who was present at the birth of this great party, watching its gradual decline has been deeply disappointing,” he explained. He also expressed disappointment over what he described as “the failure of party elders and leaders to take decisive steps to restore discipline, unity and a shared vision within the party.” “What makes this even more painful is the apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it,” he added. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. “The most recent crisis has unfortunately made it clear that the party is drifting further away from the ideals that once bound us together. “For someone who was present at the birth of this great party, watching its gradual decline has been deeply disappointing,” he explained. He also expressed disappointment over what he described as “the failure of party elders and leaders to take decisive steps to restore discipline, unity and a shared vision within the party.” “What makes this even more painful is the apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it,” he added. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. “For someone who was present at the birth of this great party, watching its gradual decline has been deeply disappointing,” he explained. He also expressed disappointment over what he described as “the failure of party elders and leaders to take decisive steps to restore discipline, unity and a shared vision within the party.” “What makes this even more painful is the apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it,” he added. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. He also expressed disappointment over what he described as “the failure of party elders and leaders to take decisive steps to restore discipline, unity and a shared vision within the party.” “What makes this even more painful is the apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it,” he added. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. “What makes this even more painful is the apparent unwillingness of party elders and leaders to genuinely fight for its soul and restore the discipline, unity and vision that once defined it,” he added. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. The former lawmaker said the situation “has reduced what was once a strong democratic platform that carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians to a shadow of itself.” Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. Bassey said he chose to step aside rather than remain part of a system that no longer reflects the principles he believes in. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election. He did not, however, disclose the political platform he may be joining as preparations gradually build toward next year’s governorship election.
Persistent crises, unresolved conflicts force me to leave PDP — Ex-Lawmaker
