The National Working Committee (NWC), of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday announced the suspension of its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, signaling commencemen
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The National Working Committee (NWC), of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday announced the suspension of its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, signaling commencement of crisis in the party.
The suspension was contained in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba in Abuja.
Aiyenigba stated that Gabam, the National Auditor, Nze Nnadi Clarkson and the National Youth Leader, Uchechukwu Chukwuma, were suspended over allegations of gross financial misconduct, including funds generated from 2023 general elections.
Aiyenigba said that the suspension, which took effect immediately, was approved by the NWC in exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Article 19.1; 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the party’s Constitution (2022 as Amended).
He claimed that the d
ecision followed a resolution of a meeting of the NWC, where overwhelming evidences were presented linking the suspended officials to series of alleged unauthorised financial transactions.
He further said that the suspension was to demonstrate to the public that the SDP is a disciplined party and a credible alternative political platform for national redemption.
He added that the party 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,” Aiyenigba said.
He said that an interim investigative panel had been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.
“In the interim, the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Sadiq Abubakar has been directed to assume leadership of the party, pending the outcome of the investigations.
“The suspension has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and all relevant anti-graft agencies and security agencies,” he said.
Gabam responding to his suspension, described it as fake, saying that he remains SDP national chairman.
He described the incident as one of the attempts by people trying to destabilise the SDP..
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), gathered that hoodlums suspected to be thugs later Tuesday evening stormed the party’s national headquarters, located at 16 Nairobi street, Wise 2, Abuja.
The thugs according to an eye witness, dressed in black attires, unleashed violence on party staff members, including journalists invited for the NWC meeting.
The thugs beat some people mercilessly and denied people access to the gate leading to the secretariat.
But minutes later, another group of hefty looking thugs came and forced the secretariat’s gate open, leading to free-for-all fight amongst them.
Some people were manhandled by the thugs in the process.
Some of the unlucky persons attacked included reporters from Arise TV and the correspondent of Punch newspaper.
It, however, took the intervention of some security operatives from Wuse Police Division and FCT command and personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to restore normalcy at premises.
It was learned that trouble started when security personnel at the gate locked out members loyal to the national chairman from entering the meeting venue.
The group while struggling to enter the meeting, pulled down the iron gate of the secretariat which resulted to escalation of the crisis (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)