JUST IN: SDP Suspends National Chairman, Two Other Senior Officials over Financial Misconduct Allegations

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has suspended its National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two other senior party officials, citing serious allegations of financial misconduct. This decision was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by the party’s spokesperson, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.

Also affected by the suspension are Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the party’s National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader. The suspension of all three officials takes immediate effect.

According to the statement, the National Working Committee (NWC) exercised its constitutional authority, as provided under Articles 19.1, 19.3(i), and 19.5 of the SDP Constitution (2022 as amended), to take disciplinary action against the officials. The party accused the trio of involvement in unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and diversion of party funds without the required approval of the NWC.

The suspensions were based on what the party described as “overwhelming evidence” presented during an emergency meeting of the NWC. The committee alleged that the actions of the suspended officials constituted gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, and misappropriation of funds belonging to the party.

The development follows reports earlier on Tuesday of angry protesters pulling down the gate of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, signaling growing unrest within the party ranks.