2027: SDP suspends National Chairman, youth leader, auditor

….as State Chairmen back suspension

The Social Democratic Party National Working Committee has suspended its national chairman, Shehu Gabam, and two other members over allegations of gross financial misconduct.

The spokesperson of the party, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Other members suspended are Nze Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, National Youth Leader of the party.

According to the party, the suspension of the trio takes effect immediately.

The statement read “In exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Article 19.1, 19.3(i), and 19.5 of the Party Constitution (2022 as amended), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gbam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), namely Nze Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, National Youth Leader, over grave allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds.

“The decision followed a resolution of a meeting of the National Working Committee (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 necessary approvals of the NWC,”.

However, a statement by the Chairman of the SDP Forum of State Chairmen, Femi Olaniyi, congratulated the acting chairman and reiterated the group’s support for the NWC’s decision.

The statement read, “The Forum of State Chairmen of the SDP would like to extend our congratulations to the acting chairman on his appointment during this crucial time in our political landscape.

” We would also like to express our appreciation to the National Working Committee for making this bold and necessary decision to protect our party from individuals who have abused the trust given to them by party stakeholders and financial members. Furthermore, some of these individuals have engaged in behaviour resembling gangsterism.

“We encourage thorough investigations to help cleanse the entire system. The Forum is alarmed that, despite the substantial funds belonging to the party, which have been misappropriated by unpatriotic officials, state chapters are still struggling with issues related to office rent.

“We assure you that all state executives of the party stand behind the National Working Committee (NWC) in this matter. We will provide our full support in the collective interest of the party”.