The State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have expressed their full support for the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), over serious allegations of financial impropriety.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Femi Olaniyi, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter and leader of the forum of state chairmen, emphasized the need for accountability within the party.
He called on the suspended officials to step aside and allow for an impartial investigation into the allegations leveled against them by the NWC.
“The suspended officials should allow for a thorough investigation into allegations brought against them by the NWC,” Olaniyi stated.
Joined by 22 other state chairmen, Olaniyi underscored the SDP’s commitment to genuine transparency and anti-corruption efforts.
He dismissed suggestions that the move was driven by internal politics or future electoral ambitions.
“The fight against corruption must be genuine and open, as these are very vital in the SDP,” he said.
“The party is very open to a coalition that will liberate Nigeria.”
Reassuring party members and Nigerians at large, Olaniyi clarified that the current shake-up within the party leadership is not related to a political struggle or external influences from other political parties.
“The leadership cleansing in the SDP is not about power play or 2027 or Coalition or APC, PDP or other conspiracy theories but about doing the right thing in the party,” he added.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, the NWC officially suspended Gabam along with Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the party’s National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader.
They are all facing allegations of financial misconduct, including embezzlement, misappropriation, and the diversion of party funds.
According to a statement issued by SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the decision to suspend the three officials came after a meeting of the NWC, during which substantial evidence was presented.
“In exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Articles 19.1, 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the Party Constitution (2022 as amended), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), namely, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, National Youth Leader, over grave allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds,” the statement read.
“The decision followed a resolution of a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), where overwhelming evidence was presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorised financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without necessary approvals of the NWC.”
