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The Social Democratic Party (SDP), once considered the most stable opposition force following the 2023 elections, is now mired in controversy over newly announced leadership positions.
Just days ago, National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba declared the appointments of Senator Ugochukwu Uba as Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr Sadiq Umar Abubakar as Deputy National Chairman (North), and Mr Hussani Ado Bello as National Financial Secretary.
The reshuffle was perceived by some observers as a strategic manoeuvre ahead of the 2027 polls.
However, this announcement has triggered internal discord. In a swift rebuttal, party chairman Shehu Musa Gabam rejected the statement, asserting that no such appointments were authorized.
Speaking on his behalf, Deputy National Secretary Muhammad Biu described the claims as false.
“The National Working Committee has not adopted any resolution on new appointments.
“The statement circulating is misleading and does not reflect the party’s decision,” Biu said in Abuja on Monday.
He further warned party members to disregard what he called an attempt to create confusion within the ranks.
In a counterstatement, National Secretary Dr Olu Agunloye disputed Gabam’s denial, revealing that a meeting held on May 15 had the support of 11 of the 12 NWC members, with eight voting in favour of the appointments.
“Gabam is acting in bad faith. The majority of NWC members voted in favour. He is now crying foul because the outcome didn’t favour him,” Agunloye remarked.
He went further to allege that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently joined the SDP, is collaborating with Gabam to reverse the decision.
A formal letter signed by Agunloye and dated May 16 was sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), notifying the electoral body of the appointments.
The letter read: “The NWC met on Thursday, May 15, and appointed the remaining three members of the 15-member committee in line with Article 12.5 of the 2022 Constitution and the mandate of the June 8, 2022 National Convention.”
According to the letter, the new positions will be held for a term of four years or until the next convention.