A growing internal crisis has taken center stage in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as state chairmen of the party have openly endorsed the suspension of the National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), following grave allegations of financial impropriety.
In a press briefing held on Friday in Abuja, the Chairman of the SDP Forum of State Chairmen and Lagos State chapter leader, Femi Olaniyi, declared the full support of the forum for the recent disciplinary actions taken by the NWC. Flanked by twenty-two other state chairmen, Olaniyi emphasized that the suspension of the officials was necessary to uphold the integrity of the party and ensure an unhindered and impartial investigation into the allegations against them.
“The suspended officials must step aside for the sake of transparency and accountability,” Olaniyi stated, reinforcing the forum’s commitment to fighting corruption within the party’s ranks. He underlined that the decision was not politically motivated, nor was it influenced by any considerations regarding the 2027 elections or any prospective coalitions with other political parties.
“This is not about PDP, APC, 2027, or any form of conspiracy. It’s about purging our party of unethical practices and reinforcing our dedication to genuine leadership and accountability,” he added.
Earlier in the week, the SDP had made headlines when its National Working Committee announced the immediate suspension of its National Chairman, Alhaji Gabam, citing allegations of “gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds.” The suspension also affected two other key NWC members—Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader—who were accused of being complicit in the same financial irregularities.
According to a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the decision was made after a high-level meeting of the NWC where substantial evidence was presented. The statement, titled “The National Working Committee of the SDP Suspends Alhaji Shehu Gabam as National Chairman and Two Members of NWC Over Allegations of Gross Financial Misconduct,” laid out the constitutional grounds on which the suspensions were carried out, referencing Articles 19.1, 19.3(i), and 19.5 of the 2022 amended party constitution.
The statement noted, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two members of the NWC… over grave allegations of gross financial misconduct.”
It further alleged that the trio was linked to numerous unauthorized financial transactions, schemes for personal enrichment, and movement of funds from party accounts without the necessary approvals of the committee.
The state chairmen, through Olaniyi, expressed confidence in the NWC’s ability to lead the party through this turbulent phase and called on members nationwide to remain united and committed to the party’s founding values.
As investigations continue, the SDP leadership insists that the matter is being handled within the bounds of its internal regulatory framework and will ensure that due process prevails in addressing the allegations.
What You Should Know
State chairmen of the Social Democratic Party have rallied behind the suspension of National Chairman Shehu Gabam and two others, following serious accusations of financial misconduct.
They maintain that the disciplinary action is a necessary step to restore integrity and transparency in the party, not a politically motivated maneuver.
