The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has suspended its national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, following allegations of financial misconduct.
In a statement released by the party’s national publicity secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP also announced the suspension of its national auditor, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and the national youth leader, Uchechukwu Chukwuma.
According to the statement, the suspension followed a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), during which evidence was presented linking the three officials to the unauthorized withdrawal and diversion of party funds.
“In exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Article 19.1, 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the party’s constitution (2022 as Amended), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), namely Nze Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, National Youth Leader, over grave allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds,” the statement said.
The party noted that the allegations involve unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment, and illegal movements of funds from party accounts without NWC approval.
The statement said the decision to suspend the officials was aimed at allowing an investigation to proceed without interference.
“The decision to suspend the national chairman and other implicated NWC members is to allow for a thorough investigation. Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” it stated.
The NWC has set up an interim panel to review the party’s financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.
“In the interim, the deputy national chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, has been directed to assume leadership of the party, pending the outcome of the investigations,” it added.
The statement also said the amount involved runs into hundreds of millions of Naira, including funds from donations and the sale of nomination forms for the 2023 general elections.
The party said it had notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as relevant anti-graft and security agencies.
“The suspension takes immediate effect. The general public is hereby requested to be appropriately guided by the development,” the statement concluded.
