The leadership crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has intensified after the party announced that its former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, is no longer a member of the party.
The declaration was made by the newly ratified National Chairman of the party, Professor Sadiq Gombe, following a closed-door meeting with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Gombe said the party had already taken disciplinary action against Gabam over allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and breach of the party’s constitution.
He insisted that the decision was properly ratified during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on 9 March 2026 at the Newtown Park Hotel and Resort.
Gombe, accompanied by 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC), stated that the party only attended the INEC meeting out of respect for the electoral body, stressing that INEC has no constitutional authority to interfere in internal party affairs.
According to him, Gabam was given the opportunity to appeal the suspension in line with Article 19(C) of the SDP Constitution, but failed to do so within the stipulated five working days, thereby validating his expulsion.
He also expressed concern over claims that the electoral commission had not received some of the party’s official correspondences, insisting that all necessary documents were duly submitted.
The SDP leadership urged the electoral umpire to maintain neutrality and avoid involvement in internal party disputes, warning that such matters remain strictly within the jurisdiction of party structures.
The development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing internal struggle within the SDP as the party moves to consolidate its leadership ahead of future political activities.
Earlier, Gabam had claimed that some persons were working tirelessly to destroy the party under his watch.
“Some elements who do not believe in a democracy are trying to create anarchy within political cycles.”
Shehu Musa Gabam, National Chairman of the SDP, says the ongoing attempts to create crises within political parties threaten to undermine Nigeria’s democracy. pic.twitter.com/CnPIL8Z7lI
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) April 29, 2025
