The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has suspended the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, the National Auditor, Nze Nnadi Clarkson; and the National Youth Leader of the party, Uchechukwu Chukwuma.
The NWC approved the immediate suspension of Gabam and the two executives over allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds.
Their suspension was conveyed through a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.
Aiyenigba said their suspension followed resolutions made by members of the NWC, where overwhelming evidence was presented linking the suspended officials to a series of “unauthorised financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and the movement of funds from the party’s accounts without any approvals from the NWC.”
He added that the development first came to light when it was discovered that the National Chairman had sent an unauthorised Financial Statement to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as required from all political parties.
“A summary of the fraudulent account was also published in the newspapers. When the NWC became aware of this, it resolved to report the fraudulent irregularities to law enforcement agencies.
“The action of the NWC to suspend the National Chairman and two members of the NWC involved in the gross financial misconduct will also demonstrate to the general public that the Party, which is generally esteemed by Nigerians as a disciplined party and a credible alternative political platform for national redemption, has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office,” he said.
According to Aiyenigba, the decision to suspend the implicated NWC members was to pave the way for a thorough investigation, stressing, “Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times.”
However, the NWC said an interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.
“In the meantime, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, has assumed leadership of the party as Acting National Chairman, as per the provisions of the party’s Constitution,” he added.
Aiyenigba alleged that the misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including donations and resources realised from the sales of nomination forms during the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party’s accounts.
He added that their suspension has been communicated to INEC and all relevant agencies.
Aiyenigba further emphasised that their suspension takes immediate effect.
Before the suspension, supporters of the suspended National Chairman Gabam and those of their 2023 Presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, clashed, resulting in the removal of the gate at their national secretariat located in Wuse 2.
Similarly, commotion erupted at the headquarters of the SDP in Abuja as bouncers clashed with youths attempting to enter the office where the NWC meeting was holding.
The altercation turned violent as overzealous bouncers prevented the youths from gaining entry.
Journalists waiting for the outcome of the closed-door meeting also found themselves caught in the middle of the scuffle.
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