Politicians are jostling for the soul of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, the horse-riding platform that delivered late MKO Abiola as president in Nigeria’s freest election in 1993.
The party has become a fertile ground with the uproar that greeted the suspension of Shehu Gabam as the National Chairman on Tuesday.
But Gabam has swiftly refuted claims of his suspension, asserting that he remains at the helm of the party and attributing the hoopla to a deliberate attempt by unnamed political actors to sow discord within the SDP.
At a press conference Tuesday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, Gabam, accompanied by members of the National Working Committee, NWC, dismissed the suspension claims as “fake news” born out of political scheming.
“I am still the National Chairman of the SDP. There has been no NWC meeting where such a decision was made. The report lacks any merit and should be ignored,” he stated.
Gabam pointed fingers at a coalition of political interests allegedly colluding with disaffected individuals inside the party to undermine the SDP’s leadership. He warned that these actors are intent on either hijacking the party or tearing it apart.
“This isn’t new. Some believe if they can’t control the SDP, they must ruin it. They view us as a threat that can’t be swayed, so they’re stirring up internal unrest,” he added.
The embattled chairman revealed that attempts were made by private legal actors to convene a NWC meeting without his knowledge.
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He said the request, which was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission and signed by the party’s National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, was rejected by the Commission for lacking due authorisation.
“INEC made it clear that the request was illegal because it didn’t carry my signature. That tells you everything you need to know about the legitimacy of the claims against me,” he said.
Gabam issued a stern warning about the implications of such power play, urging President Bola Tinubu to call security agencies to order and prevent politicians from using them as tools of political intimidation.
“This is dangerous territory for our democracy. Once dissenting voices are no longer tolerated, democracy is under threat. The misuse of security agencies to settle political scores is a disservice not just to me or to the SDP—but to Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
Responding to allegations of financial mismanagement, Gabam maintained his innocence and said all financial transactions under his leadership were properly documented.
“Let them bring the facts. Our bank records are clear. Every NWC member who received funds is listed in the statements. No one has been left out—including those making the accusations,” he challenged.
He also took a swipe at one of his accusers, a former SDP chairman, suggesting that those pointing fingers should first account for their own tenure.
“I’m ready to defend every action I’ve taken as chairman—any time, any day,” Gabam said.
Crediblenewsng.com
