SDP Power Struggle Deepens as Gabam Rejects Suspension, Condemns Armed Invasion of Party Headquarters
In a deepening crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the embattled National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, has categorically denied his suspension amid serious allegations of financial misconduct. Gabam described the reports as “fake news” and a politically orchestrated plot aimed at destabilising the party ahead of its strategic repositioning.
Earlier on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, released an official statement announcing the suspension of Gabam alongside two other senior party officials—National Auditor Nze Nnadi Clarkson and National Youth Leader Uchechukwu Chukwuma. The statement cited “overwhelming evidence” of unauthorised financial transactions, illicit enrichment, and improper withdrawals from party accounts without due process.
According to the statement, the decision was the outcome of a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting where the allegations were reportedly tabled and discussed extensively. However, Gabam has forcefully pushed back, dismissing the entire suspension narrative as a hoax and a desperate power play by internal saboteurs.
“I want to categorically state that the news making the rounds about my suspension and that of other NWC members is completely false,” Gabam said during a press briefing at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
A Deepening Divide
The conflicting accounts point to a fierce internal struggle at the heart of the SDP. While the party’s spokesman insists the suspension is both legitimate and necessary to safeguard internal accountability, Gabam is portraying it as an illegitimate move devoid of constitutional backing.
“The suspension is politically motivated and lacks due process. It is a calculated attempt to smear my name and fracture the unity we have worked hard to build within the party,” Gabam asserted.
He also claimed that key party officials, including several state chairmen and NWC members, gathered at the party’s national secretariat on Tuesday in a show of solidarity with his leadership.
Thugs at the Secretariat
Further compounding the situation was an earlier incident on Tuesday involving an armed invasion of the party’s national headquarters by unidentified individuals. Gabam condemned the attack, describing it as a “regrettable and unfortunate act of violence” designed to intimidate party loyalists and create chaos.
“The presence of armed thugs at our party secretariat is unacceptable and must be thoroughly investigated. This was not an internal party affair it was a coordinated attack on our democratic space,” Gabam stated.
He called on security agencies to immediately investigate and bring those responsible to justice, warning that such acts, if left unchecked, could threaten the country’s fragile democratic institutions.
Transparency or Tarnish?
While the party leadership accuses Gabam and others of financial mismanagement, the embattled chairman insists that his administration has maintained transparency and accountability throughout his tenure. He said all financial dealings under his watch have been conducted “with utmost integrity.”
“As leaders, we have always been mindful of our actions and have ensured that our financial dealings are transparent and accountable,” he added.
Gabam, however, issued a strong warning: though his administration remains committed to financial discipline, no official himself included will be shielded from legitimate scrutiny, provided allegations are backed by verifiable facts.
Reclaiming Control
In an attempt to reclaim narrative control, Gabam addressed party members in both English and Hausa from his office inside the national secretariat, a move clearly aimed at projecting authority and continuity.
“To set the record straight, I addressed our teeming party supporters in English and Hausa right inside my office. This is to assure them that the reports of our suspension are nothing but fake news,” he said.
He further described the social media reports as “a wave of fake news designed to attack the credibility of our great party.”
Where the SDP Stands
The unfolding events raise serious concerns about the state of internal democracy within the SDP. The party, which has positioned itself as a viable third force in Nigeria’s political arena, now finds itself ensnared in a damaging internal feud that threatens to derail its progress.
Gabam reaffirmed the SDP’s commitment to offering Nigerians a credible alternative, saying the leadership remains focused on reform, unity, and preparation for future elections.
“We remain resolute and committed to our cause. We will not be swayed by fake news and baseless allegations,” Gabam said, urging party members and supporters to stay calm and vigilant.
As both camps dig in their heels, observers warn that the SDP risks long-term credibility damage if the crisis is not resolved swiftly and transparently. While Gabam has vowed to continue his work from the party secretariat, the questions surrounding the financial allegations and the legitimacy of the purported suspension remain unanswered.
The party’s internal mechanisms now face a critical test. Will this storm produce institutional reform, or will it further fracture an already fragile opposition party?
Only time and transparency will tell.
Reference