Impostors Trying To Destabilise SDP – Gabam Rejects Expulsion, Calls Action Illegal

The embattled National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has dismissed reports of his expulsion from the party, describing the action as “illegal, null and void.”

Gabam, who was expelled on Thursday, October 23, alongside the National Youth Leader, Dr. Ogbonna Uchechukwu, and several others, insisted that the move was unconstitutional and orchestrated by impostors seeking to destabilise the SDP.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by his Special Assistant (Legal), Abubakar Baba, Gabam described the meeting that purportedly expelled him as “an illegality that holds no weight under the party’s constitution.”

Quoting Article 13 (iv) of the SDP Constitution, Baba said the provision empowers only the National Chairman to preside over meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Committee, National Working Committee, and National Caucus of the party.

“The said meeting is illegal, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever,” the statement read.

“Any meeting convened or presided over without the consent of the duly recognised chairman constitutes a gross violation of the constitution and a brazen attempt to usurp legitimate authority.”

Gabam’s camp alleged that the so-called disciplinary meeting was convened without proper authorisation and was spearheaded by individuals not recognised within the party’s structure.

The statement also criticised the National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, for allegedly communicating the outcome of the “illegal meeting” to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The action of Dr. Agunloye amounts to a breach of Part 2 (12) 3 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022,” Baba stated.

He said the communication was misleading, as a Certified True Copy (CTC) from INEC still recognised Alhaji Shehu Gabam as the duly elected National Chairman of the SDP.

“The purported suspension of the chairman and all other members of the party is null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” the statement declared.

The statement further discredited Sadiq, who was reported to have presided over the expulsion meeting, describing him as “neither a member of the party nor of its National Executive Committee.”

“The general public is hereby advised to disregard the actions of the Dr. Sadiq-led group as they are impostors and will be duly punished by law for their illegal actions,” it added.

Gabam’s faction maintained that the move was politically motivated and designed to undermine his leadership ahead of the party’s next national convention.

However, in a conflicting position, SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, told journalists at the party’s national secretariat that Gabam’s expulsion followed months of investigation and disciplinary proceedings.

“The decision was the outcome of careful investigations into allegations of misconduct, financial misappropriation, and abuse of office,” Aiyenigba said.

He maintained that the National Working Committee (NWC) acted within its constitutional powers to sanction erring members and insisted that the move was in line with the party’s disciplinary framework.

Factional Support Deepens Division

Naija News reports that the fresh controversy has further widened the division within the party.

While Gabam’s loyalists have dismissed the expulsion as unconstitutional, state chairmen of the SDP have publicly endorsed the move, citing misconduct and financial mismanagement as grounds for his removal.

Meanwhile, Gabam’s camp maintains that he remains the lawfully recognised national chairman, reaffirming his leadership’s commitment to “upholding the rule of law and maintaining internal order.”

“The Alhaji Gabam leadership remains focused on building the party and strengthening the nation’s democratic ideals in partnership with loyal members,” the statement concluded.

The latest crisis follows Gabam’s earlier suspension in June, which he had also described as illegal.

The renewed power struggle has polarised the SDP’s National Working Committee and National Executive Council, threatening to derail the party’s preparations for upcoming elections.

Source: Naijanews