The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has suspended its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over allegations of large-scale financial impropriety involving hundreds of millions of naira.
Also affected by the sweeping disciplinary action are the party’s National Auditor, Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader, Chukwuma Uchechukwu, who were similarly suspended for their alleged roles in the financial scandal.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, accused the suspended officials of engaging in unauthorised financial transactions, diverting party funds for personal use, and bypassing the approval of the National Working Committee (NWC).
According to the statement, Gabam is alleged to have independently submitted a financial report to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) without the consent of the party leadership and published a version of the report in national dailies.
The party described the move as a serious breach of internal procedures and one that necessitated immediate action.
“The party maintains a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and financial recklessness,” Aiyenigba said.
“We have alerted security and anti-graft agencies and will cooperate fully with investigations.”
To address the crisis, the SDP has constituted an interim investigative panel tasked with auditing all financial records and advising on appropriate disciplinary or legal action against the implicated officers.
Pending the conclusion of the investigation, the party has appointed Deputy National Chairman (North), Sadiq Abubakar, as Acting National Chairman, in line with its constitution.
The funds in question reportedly include revenue from the sale of nomination forms and donations made during the 2023 election cycle.
INEC and other relevant authorities have been formally informed of the suspensions, which take effect immediately.
