A violent clash broke out at the national secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja during a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), involving supporters of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, and loyalists of the 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo. The confrontation led to the destruction of the secretariat gate and left several individuals injured.
Eyewitnesses reported that the chaos erupted at around 11:20 a.m. on Nairobi Street when private security locked out Gabam’s supporters, allegedly under instructions from the opposing faction. Attempts to break through the blockade led to a full-scale brawl. Police officers from Wuse Division and the FCT Command later intervened to restore order, but resistance from party thugs complicated efforts.
Journalists covering the event were also attacked. Arise TV’s camera was temporarily seized, and Punch correspondent Francis Adebayo was physically assaulted and had his clothes torn for refusing to hand over his recording device.
In the aftermath, the SDP’s National Working Committee announced the immediate suspension of National Chairman Shehu Gabam, citing serious allegations of financial mismanagement.
“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 Social Democratic Party, SDP, has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, 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 statement by National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba further explained:
“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 unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without necessary approvals of the NWC.
“An interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.
“In the interim, the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, has been directed to assume leadership of the party, pending the outcome of the investigations.
“The misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including donations and resources realised from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party accounts.
“The suspension has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, and all relevant anti-graft and security agencies have been formally notified.
“The suspension of Alhaji Gabam, Nze Clarkson, and Chukwuma takes immediate effect. The general public is hereby requested to be appropriately guided by the development.”
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Chairmen of the SDP supported the decision, stating:
“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.”
However, Gabam rejected the suspension, dismissing it as a fabrication:
“I remain the national Chairman of the SDP, as you can see.”
He accused a coalition within the party of orchestrating the move and claimed INEC had labeled the NWC meeting that led to his suspension as invalid due to the absence of his authorization:
“The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, tagged the request by the party’s National Secretary to hold a National Working Committee, NWC, meeting illegal since it wasn’t having my signature.”
In his defense, Gabam said, “I’m sure by the time we submit the complete printout of our account from the banks to the security agencies, they will see everything. I’m ready to account for my tenure any minute, any time. We expected this crisis for quite a while.”
