SDP is in crisis as thugs attack members and the NWC suspends the chairman.

Shehu Gabam, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was suspended by the National Working Committee (NWC) on Tuesday, marking the start of

The National Working Committee (NWC), of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday announced the suspension of its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, signaling commencement of crisis in the party.

Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s national publicity secretary in Abuja, issued a statement announcing the suspension.

According to Aiyenigba, Gabam, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader, were suspended due to claims of serious financial malfeasance, including misappropriation of funds from the general elections in 2023.

According to Aiyenigba, the suspension was authorised by the NWC in the exercise of its sole authority as provided by Articles 19.1; 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the party’s Constitution (2022 as amended), and it went into effect right away.

He asserted that the decision came after the NWC resolved a meeting in which a plethora of information was provided that connected the suspended officials to a number of purportedly unlawful financial activities.

He added that the purpose of the suspension was to show the public that the SDP is a serious party and a viable alternative political platform for the country’s salvation.

He went on to say that corruption and abuse of power are not tolerated by the party.

“The National Chairman and other implicated NWC members have been suspended in order to facilitate a comprehensive investigation.”

“As a political party, we must always maintain our integrity,” Aiyenigba stated.

An interim investigative team, he said, had been established to examine all financial documents and suggest additional disciplinary or legal measures.

“While the investigations are ongoing, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, the Deputy National Chairman, has been instructed to take over as the party’s head.

“The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as all pertinent anti-graft and security agencies, have been informed of the suspension,” he stated.

In response to his suspension, Gabam said he is still the national head of the SDP and called it a hoax.

According to him, the incident was one of several attempts to undermine the SDP.

The party’s national headquarters, which is situated at 16 Nairobi Street, Wise 2, Abuja, was stormed later Tuesday evening by thugs suspected of being hoodlums, according to information obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to an eyewitness, the attackers, who were all wearing black clothing, attacked party employees, including reporters who had been invited to the NWC meeting.

Some were brutally beaten by the thugs, who also prevented others from entering the gate that led to the secretariat.

However, a few minutes later, a second group of burly-looking thugs arrived and broke down the gate of the secretariat, resulting in a brawl amongst them.

In the process, the thugs mistreated a few persons.