SDP State Chairmen Back Gabam’s Suspension, Demand Party Reforms

The Forum of State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has strongly endorsed the recent suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, describing the move as a vital step toward restoring transparency, internal democracy, and constitutional order within the party.

At a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, the Chairman of the Forum, Femi Olaniyi, who spoke on behalf of all 36 state chairmen, declared that the decision to suspend Gabam, along with the National Auditor, Clarkson Nnadi, and the National Youth Leader, Ogbonna Chukwuma, was not driven by political ambition but by the need to cleanse the party of misconduct and set a precedent for integrity.

“There is absolutely no internal crisis within the SDP,” Olaniyi stated firmly. “What we are engaged in is an internal cleansing process—not a crisis. We cannot, in good conscience, criticize the ruling party for corruption and misgovernance while ignoring impropriety within our own house. That would be both hypocritical and irresponsible.”

The Forum alleged that the suspended officials had engaged in acts that contradicted the party’s principles, including financial mismanagement, autocratic decision-making, and repeated breaches of the party’s constitution. Olaniyi revealed that concerns about a lack of transparency in financial matters had been raised multiple times by various state chapters, to no avail.

He accused Gabam of sidelining the state structures in the disbursement of party funds, in direct contravention of the SDP constitution. “Not a single state chapter has received any allocation from the funds raised by the party,” Olaniyi said. “Whenever we requested our constitutionally approved share, we were met with threats of suspension or outright removal. It’s a classic case of ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,’ and that is no longer acceptable.”

The chairmen also criticized Gabam for failing to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting since assuming office—a move they described as a clear violation of the party’s constitution. They urged the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary to immediately summon a NEC meeting to restore constitutional order and transparency within the party.

“We are not motivated by 2027 ambitions or any personal agenda,” Olaniyi stressed. “This is about enforcing the rule of law within the SDP and ensuring that our internal governance structures are not only active but functional.”

In a bid to ensure due process, the Forum also announced its intention to nominate a representative to serve on the party’s Disciplinary Investigation Panel. The chairmen insisted that the panel’s work must be carried out independently and transparently, free from any form of political manipulation.

The Forum of SDP State Chairmen reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the party’s founding values and principles. They expressed optimism that this period of introspection and reform would ultimately strengthen the party and enhance its credibility as a viable alternative for Nigerians ahead of future elections.