Crisis rocks SDP, journalist brutalized as party’s NWC allegedly suspends Nat’l Chairman, 2 others

By Chris Ochayi

A major crisis on Monday rocked the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Wuse 2, Abuja, leading to the pulling down of party’s main gate by suspected political thugs.

The fracas, which later snowball into violence broke out while the party’s National Working Committee was meeting at the party’s headquarters.

Journalists present outside the party’s secretariat were not left out as some of them were assaulted by security operatives attached to the office and some thugs.

The Correspondent with Punch newspaper, Mr. Francis Adebayo was rough handled and taken away by the security only to be released later with his clothes tore into pieces. The Arise television Correspondent almost had his camera smashed.

The crisis New Era learnt is not unconnected to the power struggle between the former Presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Prince Adewale Adebayo and the National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam.

The crisis according to insider source was sparked by alleged plans to impose the former Governor of Kaduna State,
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on the party’s leadership following his recent defected to the party.

In the recent interview, the former presidential candidate, Prince Adebayo told journalist at the 50th year birthday celebration of his his wife, held in Abuja that the SDP will not be used as special vehicle by some disgruntled politicians.

When the dust settled, it was discovered that the faction loyal to the National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam and the security men attached to party’s took over the office after overwhelmingly defeated and chase away those loyal to Prince Adebayo.

The thugs armed with dangerous weapons including axes, cutlasses and sticks ran to different directions to escape from the scene but two of them were not that lucky after been arrested by the men of Civil Defence.

The national Chairman drove into the office few minutes after 12 noon, while the crisis was brought under control by the team of police officers drafted from Wuse 2 zonal headquarters.

Meanwhile, before his arrival, the National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, and other two members of the NWC have been reportedly suspended over allegations of gross financial misconduct by the National Working Committee of the party.

The statement issued by Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, read, “In exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Article 19.1; 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the Party Constitution (2022 as Ammended), 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 Gbam, 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 decision followed a resolution of a meeting of the National Working Commitee (NWC), where overwhelming evidences were presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without necessary approvals of the NWC.

“The action of the NWC to suspend the National Chairman and two members of the NWC involved in the gross financial misconduct is to demonstrate to the general public that the Party, generally esteemed by Nigerians as a disciplined party and a credible alternative political platform for national redemption has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.

“The decision to suspend the National Chairman and other implicated NWC members is to allow for a thorough,  investigation. Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” the statement read.

“An interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.

“In the interim, the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar has been directed to assume leadership of the party pending the outcome of the investigations.

“The misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including donations and resources realised from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party accounts.

“The suspension of has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and all relevant anti- graft agencies and security agencies have been formally notified.

“The suspension of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma takes immediate effect.

*The general public is hereby requested to be appropriately guided by the development.”

However, at the time of filling this report, the National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gbam is at the National Working Committee, NWC, meeting.