SDP Confirms Suspension Of Gabam, Others Over Alleged Fund Misuse

Social Democratic Party (SDP) has taken the extraordinary step of suspending its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, along with its National Auditor, Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader, Chukwuma Uchechukwu, over allegations of financial misconduct and misappropriation of party funds.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, the suspension followed a meeting of the SDP National Working Committee (NWC) held on Thursday, 23 October 2025, at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Grounds for Suspension

The NWC resolution states that: “… the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on June 24, 2025, in exercise of its exclusive powers, in accordance with the provisions of Article 19.1, 19.301, and 19.5 of the 2022 Social Democratic Party Constitution (as Amended), placed the following underlisted Officers of the Party on suspension on grounds of the prima facie case of misconduct, financial misappropriation, malfeasance and fraudulent activities, gross abuse of office, among other infractions and contraventions of the Party’s Constitution against them.”

The officers listed are:

• Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam (hitherto National Chairman)

• Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu (hitherto National Youth Leader)

• Mr. Clarkson Nnadi (hitherto National Auditor)

The statement adds that: “The move followed the adoption of the report of the Disciplinary Committee and a subsequent White Paper which reviewed the findings and recommendations on the allegations brought against the affected officers.”

The party says the action is necessary to “restore integrity, discipline, and internal order within the SDP.”

According to the statement, the SDP will implement additional administrative recommendations drawn from the White Paper to forestall future breaches of the party’s rules and constitution.

The party also noted that the NWC “considered another report which detailed how some non-conforming and disloyal members … gained unlawful entry by force into the National Secretariat of the Party at 17 Nairobi Street, Wuse II, Abuja in unholy hours of Monday, 28 July 2025 and were caught in the act by law enforcement agencies.”

The report claims that: “These daring intruders were arrested and detained along with burgled items found in their possession including sensitive official documents and valuables carted from the SDP Secretariat and are currently answering to their crimes in a court of law on arraignment against them by the Nigerian Police.”

The suspensions mark a serious internal shake-up for the SDP. By targeting top leadership for alleged financial misdeeds, the party is signalling its willingness to discipline even high-ranking officials. Whether this move will succeed in restoring public confidence or trigger deeper factional backlash remains to be seen.

Given Nigeria’s broader political climate, where allegations of corruption often dog parties and public figures alike, the SDP’s decision aligns with a narrative of ethical rigor and accountability.

However, the effectiveness of the disciplinary process and the transparency of subsequent investigations will be key to whether this action resonates positively – both within the party and among the electorate.