The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared that its decision to prosecute its expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, over alleged financial misconduct is more than an internal disciplinary action—it is a deliberate statement of the kind of government it intends to build if Nigerians hand the party power in the 2027 general elections.

National Chairman of the SDP, Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, said the party was using its own internal affairs to demonstrate that under an SDP administration, no public official would be above the law and no individual accused of wrongdoing would escape accountability by merely switching political allegiance.

Addressing journalists at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, Gombe said Nigeria’s democracy has been weakened by a political culture in which politicians facing allegations of corruption or abuse of office often find refuge in the ruling establishment, where investigations and prosecutions frequently lose momentum.

According to him, the SDP is determined to break that cycle by proving that accountability must first begin within political parties before they can credibly promise good governance to Nigerians.

“We believed that if we are preparing to take over government, we have to be fair to ourselves, fair to Nigerians and accountable before God Almighty,” Gombe declared.

He said that after the party expelled its former National Chairman and former National Youth Leader over alleged breaches of the party’s constitution and other infractions, the leadership deliberately refused to stop at disciplinary measures.

Instead, he explained, the party escalated the matter to law enforcement agencies, insisting that anyone accused of financial misconduct must answer before the law.

“After the expulsion of the former National Chairman and the former National Youth Leader, we did not stop there. We subjected them to scrutiny and prosecution over the criminal activities they were alleged to have been involved in.”

According to Gombe, the affected officials are currently facing criminal prosecution, adding that the party has resolved to pursue the case until every legal process is exhausted.

He said the decision reflects the values upon which the SDP hopes to build a future government anchored on transparency, responsibility and the rule of law.

Drawing a sharp distinction between the SDP and what he described as Nigeria’s prevailing political culture, Gombe lamented that allegations of corruption often disappear once politically exposed persons join the ruling party.
Without naming the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said Nigerians have become familiar with situations where politicians accused of wrongdoing suddenly become untouchable after changing political camps.

“People are caught red-handed in breaches of the law, misappropriation and other offences, yet once they join the ruling party, everything dies there. We are saying that cannot be the way to build a nation.”

He insisted that the SDP would not embrace such a culture, stressing that political office should never become a shield against accountability.

According to the party chairman, the prosecution is not motivated by personal grievances or political vendetta but by a determination to restore integrity to Nigeria’s democratic process.

“We are ready to reset this country with an SDP government in 2027 that will be responsive, accountable and transparent. Corruption and bad leadership have become the bane of our society. We are determined to change that.”

Gombe disclosed that after obtaining the party’s financial records through legal procedures, the leadership uncovered transactions it considered disturbing and subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant security agencies over the alleged misappropriation of about ₦626 million.

He said the party would continue cooperating with investigators and would ensure that every allegation is subjected to due legal process.

“We are not going to leave any stone unturned until there are consequences for every action. Accountability must begin from within the political party before it can extend to government.”

The SDP chairman argued that Nigeria cannot produce accountable governments from political parties that refuse to discipline their own members.

According to him, the country’s governance crisis begins with weak internal democracy and the absence of consequences for misconduct within political organisations.

“Political parties must first cleanse themselves before they can present credible candidates to Nigerians. The SDP is determined to provide Nigerians with credible leadership through transparent, free and fair internal democratic processes.”

Gombe also revealed that members of the National Working Committee resisted repeated attempts to destabilise the party through financial inducements, saying their refusal to compromise preserved the integrity of the SDP.
“If I had accepted ₦500 million or even ₦1 billion, perhaps I would have retired comfortably. If members of the National Working Committee had accepted such inducements, the party would have been divided. But they remained resolute and committed.”

He described the resilience of the party’s leadership as proof that the SDP possesses the discipline and moral courage required to govern Nigeria differently.

“All these members of the National Working Committee have remained together since 2022. They remained committed to the party and to Nigeria. They have the patriotism and commitment required for the rescue mission of our dear country.”

Beyond the issue of accountability, Gombe said the party has substantially complied with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s timetable for the 2027 elections.

He noted that the SDP became the first political party to hold its national convention for the 2027 electoral cycle, successfully conducted primaries across the federation and has continued uploading candidates for presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

He also maintained that the party’s current leadership remains the only authentic leadership recognised by both the Supreme Court and INEC, insisting that all internal disputes have been resolved through lawful processes.
Reaffirming the party’s readiness for the next general elections, Gombe said the SDP would continue to distinguish itself by placing integrity above political expediency.

“We are ready to provide Nigerians with the credible alternative they are yearning for in 2027. We have presented candidates with competence, character, capacity, patriotism and the fear of God.”

He concluded by saying the party’s handling of its internal crisis should serve as evidence that an SDP government would not tolerate impunity, regardless of who is involved.

“If we cannot hold ourselves accountable as a political party, we have no moral right to ask Nigerians to trust us with power. That is why we are doing what we are doing today. The Nigeria we seek to build must be founded on justice, transparency and accountability.”