Crisis deepens in SDP as NWC expels Gabam, others over misconduct allegations
By David Lawani
The lingering leadership crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has taken a dramatic turn as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), in a decisive move, expelled its former National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, and the National Youth Leader, Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu, over alleged financial impropriety, abuse of office, and misconduct.
In a resolution adopted at its October 23 meeting in Abuja, the NWC said the decision followed months of investigation by an independent Disciplinary Committee, which found the suspended officers culpable of grave constitutional breaches.
According to the resolution, the disciplinary process was initiated after the NWC suspended Gabam and two other officials on June 24, 2025, in line with Articles 19.1, 19.3(i), and 19.5 of the SDP Constitution.
The Disciplinary Committee, inaugurated on July 4, submitted its report after a 14-day public investigation, prompting the NWC to constitute a subcommittee to produce a White Paper that reviewed and adopted the committee’s findings.
The report accused Gabam and his associates of financial misappropriation, malfeasance, and fraudulent activities, as well as a “gross abuse of office,” actions the NWC said were inimical to the integrity and unity of the party.
The NWC also announced the acceptance of the resignation of Mr. Clarkson Nnadi, the party’s former National Auditor, who opted to bow out voluntarily during the crisis.
Further stoking the turmoil within the party, the NWC condemned an alleged break-in at the SDP National Secretariat by a group of “nonconforming and disloyal members” led by Adamu Abubakar Modibbo and others, who were reportedly arrested by law enforcement agencies after gaining unlawful access to sensitive party materials. The statement said the individuals are “currently facing prosecution for burglary and theft of official documents.”
The NWC declared the immediate expulsion of all the implicated members, including the alleged intruders, insisting that the move was necessary to “protect the sanctity of the party’s constitution and restore order.”
The resolutions, signed by Acting National Chairman Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, and other key NWC members, emphasized that the party would implement new administrative safeguards to prevent a recurrence of the crisis.
