The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced the immediate suspension of its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over what the party describes as gross financial misconduct involving hundreds of millions of naira.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the National Working Committee (NWC) said Gabam, along with National Auditor Nnadi Clarkson and National Youth Leader Chukwuma Uchechukwu, were suspended following revelations of unauthorized financial transactions, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds.
“The decision followed resolutions made by members of the NWC, where overwhelming evidence was presented linking the suspended officials to personal enrichment schemes and the illegal movement of funds from party accounts without the approval of the committee,” the statement read.
The controversy reportedly began when Gabam submitted an unauthorized financial statement to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a document that was later published in newspapers. The NWC, upon discovering discrepancies in the report, resolved to report the matter to law enforcement agencies.
“This action demonstrates our zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office,” Aiyenigba stated. “Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times.”
To ensure a transparent inquiry, an interim investigative panel has been set up to audit the party’s financial records. The Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, has assumed leadership as Acting National Chairman, in line with party constitution.
Aiyenigba added that the suspension has been formally communicated to INEC and other relevant agencies, stressing that the alleged financial irregularities include funds from nomination form sales during the 2023 general elections and other party resources.
For a party that brands itself as a disciplined and credible alternative for national leadership, the unfolding scandal is both a test of its internal accountability mechanisms and a signal to the wider political landscape on how it handles allegations of corruption within its ranks.
