 has suspended its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, citing serious allegations of financial){kind=link}
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has suspended its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, citing serious allegations of financial misconduct and unauthorized transactions involving party funds.
In an official statement released on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, the SDP disclosed that Gabam, alongside National Auditor Nnadi Clarkson and National Youth Leader Chukwuma Uchechukwu, was implicated in “unauthorised financial dealings, self-serving financial schemes, and diversion of resources without the approval of the National Working Committee.”
Aiyenigba noted that the party had to alert law enforcement authorities after Gabam allegedly submitted an unofficial financial report to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and published a version in national newspapers.
“This action reinforces our zero-tolerance stance on corruption,” he said.
To address the allegations, an interim audit committee has been established to examine the party’s financial records and recommend appropriate actions, including possible legal measures.
The party has also confirmed that the funds in question amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including revenues from the sale of nomination forms during the 2023 general elections and various donations.
Sadiq Abubakar, the Deputy National Chairman (North), has now been appointed as the Acting National Chairman pending further decisions.
INEC and other relevant institutions have been formally notified of the leadership changes, which take immediate effect.