The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has plunged into a deepening leadership crisis following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) rejection of a letter introducing Dr. Sadiq Abubakar as the party’s Acting National Chairman.
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In a memo dated July 5, 2025, and signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Commission questioned the legality of the appointment and demanded formal clarification from the party’s substantive National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam. INEC stated that the letter, dated June 25 and purportedly signed by the party’s National Secretary, did not comply with Part 2(12)3 of its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. It also noted discrepancies between the signature on the letter and the specimen in its official records.
The disputed letter followed the suspension of Gabam by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), which also suspended the National Auditor, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader, Uchechukwu Chukwuma, over alleged financial impropriety involving over ₦1 billion.
In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the NWC claimed that internal investigations had uncovered evidence of embezzlement, unauthorized financial transactions, and abuse of office. The committee also formed a five-member probe panel chaired by retired Air Vice Marshal Abubakar-Sadick Liman.
However, Gabam has rejected the allegations, describing them as false and politically motivated. In a statement released by his media aide, Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim, he accused a group of disgruntled party leaders led by former minister Dr. Olu Agunloye of orchestrating a smear campaign and unconstitutional power grab.
Gabam insisted he remains the party’s legitimate leader, backed by INEC records and the SDP constitution. “There is no crisis in the SDP,” he said. “What we have is a party growing stronger by the day, guided by discipline, internal democracy, and a shared vision to serve Nigerians.”
He further accused Agunloye of attempting to impose caretaker committees, remove duly elected state chairmen, and convene an illegal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. “Only the National Chairman can convene such meetings,” he emphasized. “The SDP is not for sale. It is a movement of the people — and it shall remain so.”
The internal panel set up by the faction led by Abubakar claims to have compiled sufficient evidence to take disciplinary action and refer Gabam to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for possible prosecution. The panel noted that only the suspended National Auditor appeared before it, while Gabam and Chukwuma ignored the invitations.
In response, Gabam’s allies dismissed the panel as a “kangaroo committee,” lacking constitutional authority and seeking to usurp an ongoing police investigation prompted by Agunloye’s petition.
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