Gabam's suspension was announced on Tuesday in a statement signed by Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has suspended its National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, over grave allegations of financial misconduct, including the alleged embezzlement and diversion of party funds.
Gabam's suspension was announced on Tuesday in a statement signed by Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary.
The statement also confirmed the suspension of Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader.
According to the statement, the decision followed a resolution reached during a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting where “overwhelming evidence” was presented linking the three officials to unauthorised financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without due approval.
The NWC said the suspensions were made pursuant to Articles 19.1, 19.3(i), and 19.5 of the SDP Constitution (2022 as amended), which empower the committee to act against any official found to have compromised the party's integrity.
“In exercise of its exclusive powers... the NWC has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the party... over grave allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds,” the statement read.
To ensure uninterrupted leadership, the NWC announced that Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman, has been directed to assume the role of Acting National Chairman pending the outcome of investigations.
An interim investigative panel has also been established to audit all party financial records and recommend appropriate disciplinary or legal action against the suspended officers.
“Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” the NWC emphasised, noting the suspension was necessary to reassure Nigerians of the party’s zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.
The statement revealed that the misappropriated funds run into hundreds of millions of Naira, including money realized from the sale of nomination forms during the 2023 general elections and other party revenue sources.
The SDP disclosed that it has notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with anti-corruption and security agencies, of the suspensions and the ongoing investigation.
“The general public is hereby requested to be appropriately guided by this development. The suspension takes immediate effect,” the statement concluded.
Alhaji Shehu Gabam has led the SDP since before the 2023 elections, positioning the party as a third-force alternative in Nigeria's highly polarised political landscape.
His leadership, however, has come under scrutiny amid allegations of internal mismanagement and party fund irregularities.