Alhaji Shehu Gabam has insisted that he remains the national chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Gabam, who added that he remains the duly elected and recognised chairman of the party, dismissed reports of his expulsion, describing it as “a nullity and the product of a kangaroo process.”
A faction of the SDP led by Sadiq Abubakar Gombe had suspended Gabam and nine other leaders of the party loyal to him.
But speaking on a National Television programme, Gabam described the crisis rocking the SDP as “an artificially induced political operation,” alleging that certain vested interests were bent on destabilising the party because of its growing relevance and independent voice in national politics.
According to him, those claiming to have expelled me lack legitimacy and are not recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The commission has the certified true copy of our convention held at the International Conference Centre in 2022, where my executive was duly elected.
“None of those who claimed to have suspended or expelled me appear on that list. Even Sadik, who presided over their so-called meeting, is not a registered member of the party,” he said.
Gabam pointed out that the police had also been officially informed of the INEC-recognised leadership and that any group operating outside that structure was guilty of impersonation.
He urged the authorities to investigate those trying to hijack the party’s organs.
Reacting to allegations of financial misconduct, embezzlement, and abuse of office levelled against him, Gabam dismissed them as “cheap fabrications without substance.”
He explained that the same national secretary of the party Dr Olu Agunloye, who raised the accusations had earlier written a petition to the Inspector General of Police, but the police investigation had not substantiated any wrongdoing.
According to him, “the police invited him to substantiate his claims, but no report has been issued. Instead, he turned around to set up a kangaroo committee of his friends to investigate me.
I was never invited or interrogated, not even for one second. It’s a political smear job.”
Gabam said what is happening in his party mirrors the crises in other opposition parties, adding that “there is no political party in Nigeria today that is standing firmly apart from the ruling APC.”
He, however, dismissed suggestions that his problem with some party members stemmed from hostility to President Bola Tinubu or his government.
“I have always maintained mutual respect for the President and once held a private discussion with him when Tinubu considered joining the SDP during his face-off with the APC.
“I have no personal issues with the President whatsoever. Even at the time he was having challenges within the APC and was considering joining the SDP, we had a mature and civilized conversation.
“Eventually, he chose to remain in the APC. From that period till now, I have neither seen the President nor received any message from him. Those suggesting otherwise are manufacturing lies out of political insecurity,”Gabam added.
On claims that the party’s state chairmen endorsed his removal, Gabam described the assertion as false.
“The so-called chairman of chairmen is not even a substantive chairman,” he said. “He has been acting chairman of the party in Lagos for years, and his tenure expired long ago. In fact, there are three factions within the chairmen’s forum itself.
“I remain the authentic national chairman of the Social Democratic Party. Those trying to hijack the SDP are acting on political instructions, but the truth will prevail,” he noted.
