SDP in Turmoil: National Chairman Shehu Gabam Suspended Amidst Fraud Allegations, Denies "Fake News" and Blames "New Coalition"
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is currently embroiled in a fierce internal crisis, with its National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, at the center of a stormy controversy. A faction of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) has announced Gabam's immediate suspension over grave allegations of financial misconduct, a claim Gabam vehemently denies, labeling it "fake news" and attributing the crisis to an alleged "new coalition" attempting to hijack the party.
Allegations of Financial Impropriety Rock SDP Leadership
According to a statement issued by the NWC faction, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, alongside National Auditor Nnadi Clarkson and National Youth Leader Chukwuma Uchechukwu, have been suspended due to "allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds." The faction asserts it possesses "overwhelming evidence" linking these officials to a series of unauthorized financial transactions and schemes aimed at personal enrichment, including the movement of funds from party accounts without NWC approval.
A particularly damning accusation is that Gabam allegedly submitted an unauthorized financial statement to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and subsequently allowed a summary of "suspect accounts" to be published in the media, a move that reportedly caused significant alarm within the party's inner circles. The alleged misappropriated funds are said to run into "hundreds of millions of naira," encompassing donations and proceeds from the sale of nomination forms during the 2023 general elections.
Following the purported suspension, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, the Deputy National Chairman (North), has been directed to assume leadership as Acting National Chairman, pending a thorough investigation by an interim investigative panel. The NWC faction has also confirmed that INEC and all relevant anti-graft and security agencies have been formally notified of the suspension.
Gabam Fights Back: "Fake News" and the Shadow of a "New Coalition"
In a swift and fiery response, Alhaji Shehu Gabam dismissed his alleged suspension as "fake news" and a calculated act of "political mischief." He insists he remains the legitimate National Chairman of the SDP, arguing that no official NWC meeting was ever convened to sanction such a decision. Gabam further highlighted that INEC had previously deemed an NWC meeting request "illegal" because it lacked his essential signature, underscoring his authority in official party matters.
More significantly, Gabam has accused a powerful "new coalition" of opposition figures of being the masterminds behind the current crisis. He claims these individuals are "desperately trying to hijack the SDP's structure" or, failing that, "destroy it entirely," viewing the party as "too strong to manipulate." While Gabam did not explicitly name individuals, some reports in the media have linked former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to this alleged coalition, suggesting the SDP was being considered as a potential "vehicle" for a fresh challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. This remains Gabam's assertion amidst the ongoing internal dispute.
Addressing the financial allegations, Gabam vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating that all financial transactions during his tenure were meticulously documented. He declared his readiness to "account for my tenure any minute, any time," suggesting that the party's bank statements would exonerate him and reveal the involvement of other NWC members in various transactions.
Secretariat Chaos and Police Intervention
The internal feud escalated to a physical confrontation at the SDP's national secretariat in Abuja, with reports indicating that suspected thugs stormed the premises and assaulted journalists. These attackers were reportedly aligned with the embattled chairman, Gabam, further highlighting the deep divisions within the party. The FCT Police Command has since intervened, taking control of the secretariat to restore order and prevent further violence.
The Road Ahead: Fragile Party, Crucial Elections
This unfolding crisis within the SDP underscores the inherent fragility of some Nigerian political parties, particularly smaller ones, and the intense struggle for control as the nation inches closer to future elections. The serious allegations of financial impropriety, combined with the claims of external manipulation by a "new coalition," paint a vivid picture of a party in deep disarray. The intervention of security agencies signals the gravity of the dispute, leaving the SDP's standing and relevance in Nigeria's dynamic political landscape hanging precariously in the balance.
