Tension escalated at the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja on Tuesday after armed thugs in black attire stormed the premises, attacking journalists and party staff.
The violent incident occurred amid an internal crisis sparked by the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, alongside the National Auditor, Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader, Chukwuma Uchechukwu.
According to the SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), the three officials were suspended over allegations of serious financial misconduct, including embezzlement, misappropriation, and the unauthorised diversion of party funds amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.
Journalists gathered at the party headquarters for a scheduled press briefing were caught in the chaos.
Several were physically assaulted, and their cameras and phones confiscated before security personnel intervened to restore order.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, confirmed the suspensions in a statement, saying the NWC had reviewed substantial evidence linking the officials to unauthorised transactions and the misuse of party funds.
He added that the situation escalated when Gabam allegedly submitted an unauthorised financial report to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and caused the publication of a summary in the media, raising concerns within the party.
“The NWC has alerted law enforcement agencies and initiated a comprehensive internal investigation,” Aiyenigba said, reaffirming the party’s stance of zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.
As part of immediate restructuring, the NWC has named Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman (North), as Acting National Chairman pending the outcome of the investigation.
An interim investigative panel has also been set up to audit the party’s finances, with a focus on funds from nomination form sales ahead of the 2023 general elections—believed to be among those misappropriated.
“The party will not shield anyone found guilty,” Aiyenigba stated.
“Our objective is to restore public trust in the SDP as a viable alternative for national leadership.”
The suspensions have been officially communicated to INEC and other relevant authorities.