A combined team of security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday took over the national secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja amid a deepening leadership crisis in the party.

The security presence followed the alleged suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) over allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, and diversion of party funds.

Also allegedly suspended were the National Auditor, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and the National Youth Leader, Uchechukwu Chukwuma.

The faction, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, said the decision was reached in line with Articles 19.1, 19.3(i), and 19.5 of its 2022 constitution (as amended).

According to the statement, the suspension followed a resolution reached at a meeting of the NWC, during which overwhelming evidence was presented linking the affected officials to unauthorised financial transactions and personal enrichment schemes involving party accounts.

“In order to uphold the integrity of our party and demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, the NWC has approved their immediate suspension and constituted an interim investigative panel to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions,” the statement read.

The suspension, according to the Aiyenigba, has been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as relevant anti-graft and security agencies.

However, the crisis deepened after INEC, in a response to the party’s notice of the NWC meeting, raised concerns about non-compliance with regulatory procedures.

In a letter obtained by The Guardian, signed by the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Halliru Aminu, INEC pointed out that the notice of the meeting was not jointly signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary, as required under the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

INEC also requested verification of the signature on the letter submitted to the commission.