National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, has dismissed reports of a leadership crisis in the party, describing the purported suspension of his leadership and the appointment of an acting chairman as illegal and a distraction.
 
This came as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) queried the party over a letter introducing Dr Sadiq Gombe as acting national chairman.
 
In a memo dated July 3, 2025, signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC said the letter, dated June 25, 2025, was not in compliance with the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022) and bore a signature inconsistent with its records. It asked Gabam to confirm the authenticity of the letter.
 
The crisis in SDP intensified when the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended Gabam and two other top officials, Nnadi Clarkson (National Auditor) and Uchechukwu Chukwuma (National Youth Leader), over allegations of financial misconduct to the tune of N1 billion.
 
According to a statement issued earlier by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, the suspensions followed an internal investigation that uncovered unauthorised financial transactions and abuse of office. 
 
Reacting through a statement by his media aide, Lawal Ibrahim, in Abuja yesterday, Gabam assured party members and the public that the SDP remained united, focused and committed to offering Nigerians a credible alternative.
 
He accused a faction led by Dr Olu Agunloye of spreading misinformation and attempting to destabilise the party through illegal moves, including plans to convene a parallel National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and remove state chairmen without constitutional backing.
 
Stressing that INEC recognises him as the substantive national chairman, Gabam described any NEC meeting not convened or presided over by him is unconstitutional, null and void.
 
Gabam also cleared the air regarding the issue of coalition, saying, “Let it be made abundantly clear that the SDP is an independent political party. The issue of any supposed coalition is a matter of the past, and the SDP is not part of any such coalition arrangement.”
 
He urged the teeming members and supporters of the party across the country to remain calm, vigilant and steadfast.