The members of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in Nigeria have drum their support to the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam.
SDP members in Imo and Bauchi States have have passed a vote of confidence to the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Shehu Gabam.
In a statement issued to journalists, the SDP leadership in both Imo and Bauchi States, called on the party’s faithful to support the leadership of the National Chairman and have also emphasised on the need for solidarity in face of the challenges that had recently plagued the party.
The Imo State SDP Chairman. Dr Henry Ifeanyi Eluwa, while acknowledging the dedication and commitment of all members urged members to uphold to the principles of the party and remain united despite the challenges the party is going through.
Dr Eluwa said that “We are here today not just as representatives of our various constituencies, but as custodians of the values that define the SDP, and it is under our stewardship that we must safeguard the integrity of our party against those who wish to sow discord.”
Recall that recently, a faction of disgruntled party members had begun to act in ways the leadership deemed unconstitutional.
Whispers of discontent and speculation had spread on the alleged suspension of the party’s National Chairman Shehu Gabam causing rifts and confusion within the ranks of the SDP.
Members at the meeting voiced their concern over the misrepresentation of party values by individuals seeking personal gain rather than the collective good.
“We cannot be swayed by the actions of a few who have forgotten the fundamental principles of our party,we must stand together and demonstrate that we are united in our purpose to serve the people, not ourselves. We must send a firm message to those undermining the SDP’s efforts.
The members at the meeting reaffirm their support for the national leadership,as they unanimously passed a vote of confidence for the national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam.
The Imo LGA Chairmen and women leaders took turns articulating their admiration for the leadership style of the National Chairman , Shehu Musa Gabam, who they described as a beacon of hope amidst uncertainty.
SDP Bauchi
Meanwhile, the Executives of the SDP, Bauchi State, North East Nigeria, has unanimously reaffirmed total support to the leadership of the NationalChairman of the SDP, Shehu Gabam
In a statement signed by the SDP State Secretary, Nasiru Dan Bauchi called on the public to disregard the purported news of the suspension of its National Chairman.
“As the party officials, in the state, we want to bring to the notice of the general public that, the said claimed was a deliberate attempt by some group to cause distraction in our dear party. We consider it a hearsay and indeed pointless which must be condemned by all party faithfuls across the nook and crannies of the country. We therefore, call on the party faithfuls and members of the general public to disregard it’’.
The meeting, which had in attendance, the party officials at the state level, and the local government chairmen, condemned in its entirety the unconstitutional and groundless conjecture that was making the headlines which claimed that the National Chairman of our great party, the SDP, His Excellency, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam was suspended.
The party members in the Bauchi State reaffirmed their support and allegiance to the leadership of Shehu Gabam.
Earlier, the State chairmen under the auspices of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, have called for the investigation of some of the party’s National officials.
The Forum of SDP State Chairmen debunked reports of a crisis within the party, insisting that the ongoing events reflect a determined effort to cleanse the party of corruption and reinforce its democratic ethos.
“We want to clarify to the public that there is no crisis within the party. The SDP is committed to building a strong internal democracy and presenting ourselves as a credible alternative, hence the need to cleanse ourselves from within lest we be guilty of hypocrisy”, the forum stated in a joint address.
They expressed outrage over the alleged financial misconduct by Gabam, National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi, and National Youth Leader Ogbonna Chukuwma, describing their suspension as long overdue and in line with the wishes of party members at the grassroots.
The forum accused the suspended National Chairman of running the party like a personal fiefdom. “No state chapter has received any funds from the money raised,” they said. “Whenever we inquire about our dues, we encounter threats of removal or suspension. Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.”
According to them, the suspension process was followed due procedure as provided in the party’s constitution. “We call for an immediate investigation into all allegations in a transparent, honest and fair manner,” they said, offering to nominate a state chairman to serve on the Disciplinary Investigation Panel.
They further condemned what they described as the “autocratic leadership style” of Gabam, accusing him of failing to call a single National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting since he assumed office. “More importantly, this message must go to all and sundry: when money is donated or contributed to the party, it is for the development of the party, not for an individual to appropriate as personal resources,” the statement said.
The SDP state chairmen forum also urged the current acting leadership of the party to convene a NEC meeting immediately and allow the investigative panel a free hand to work.
Calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to meddle in the internal affairs of the party, the state leaders warned against any action that could ferment “the yeast of instability” or advantage the ruling party.
“The public impression that INEC has shown a tendency to dabble in the internal affairs of political parties… should not be extended to the SDP,” they warned.
Insisting that the party must lead by example if it seeks to be the “credible alternative” for Nigerians, the forum stated: “We cannot be a party of embezzlement, fraud, forgeries, graft, grand theft and other criminality whilst still laying claim to being the champion of the masses.”
They emphasised that the internal reforms and disciplinary actions were not about political alignments or 2027 elections, but about ensuring that the party lives up to its founding ideals of integrity, social justice and service.
Adding more context to the development, SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, described the situation as a “cleansing process” to return the party to its “factory setting” of transparency, credibility and accountability.
Aiyenigba said: “What we have going on in the SDP is a cleansing process of trying to return the party to its factory setting… the ideology of transparency, accountability and credibility. We have seen a situation in the last two-three years where all of these [values] provided in the constitution were not adhered to.”
He revealed that a six-month investigation into the party’s financial dealings uncovered “mind-boggling infractions.” According to him, funds were being diverted to private accounts without the knowledge or approval of the National Working Committee (NWC).
He says, “We were able to establish humongous funds that were moved out of the party’s account in the last three years going to private accounts and expenditures that were not having NWC clearance. Nothing has gone through the NWC in the last three years.”
Confidence Okwuchi