JUST IN: Thugs Storm SDP Headquarters Following Suspension of National Chairman

Violence erupted at the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja on Tuesday after the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, along with other senior officials over allegations of financial misconduct. Witnesses reported that shortly after the announcement, a group of armed men dressed in black invaded the premises, assaulting journalists and party staff. Several members of the media were physically attacked, and their equipment confiscated before security personnel intervened to restore calm.

The unrest followed a statement from the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, confirming the suspension of Gabam, National Auditor Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader Chukwuma Uchechukwu. The officials are accused of embezzlement, misappropriation, and the unauthorised diversion of party funds amounting to hundreds of millions of naira. According to Aiyenigba, “The decision followed resolutions made by members of the NWC, where overwhelming evidence was presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorised financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without the committee’s approval.”

Among the evidence cited was an unauthorised financial report submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was later published in the media. Sources within the party claim the financial discrepancies stemmed primarily from funds generated through the sale of nomination forms ahead of the 2023 general elections.

In response to the crisis, the SDP appointed Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman (North), as Acting National Chairman. The party has also constituted an interim investigative panel to carry out a full audit of its finances and recommend any necessary legal action. Aiyenigba emphasised the party’s stance, stating, “The party has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office. Our goal is to restore public confidence in the SDP as a credible alternative for national leadership.”