Suspended SDP chairman Gabam faces probe over ₦1bn party funds
The leadership crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has taken a new twist as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) moves to expel its suspended National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two other top officials, and refer them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and possible prosecution over allegations of misappropriating over ₦1 billion in party funds.
The decision follows the submission of a 14-day investigative panel report which found that Gabam and two other suspended members, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader, ignored formal invitations to appear before the panel to respond to serious accusations of embezzlement, misappropriation, and gross financial misconduct.
Only Clarkson, the suspended National Auditor, appeared before the five-member fact-finding committee chaired by retired Air Vice Marshal Abubakar-Sadick Liman. Both Gabam and Chukwuma failed to honour the committee’s invitation, the report said.
The probe, initiated on July 4, was tasked with uncovering the truth behind alleged criminal conspiracy, unauthorized withdrawals, and diversion of party funds amounting to over ₦1 billion.
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In an earlier statement issued by SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, the NWC disclosed that the suspended officials had allegedly engaged in unauthorized financial transactions, including personal enrichment schemes and the movement of large sums of money without the required approvals from the NWC.
While submitting the report to the party’s Acting National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, on Friday, AVM Liman (rtd) said: “Only one out of the three accused—National Auditor Clarkson—honoured our invitation. Gabam and the National Youth Leader were absent despite repeated summons.
From testimony received and documentary evidence provided by the NWC, we made significant findings.”
The committee also highlighted glaring discrepancies in the party’s financial records, particularly relating to the audited accounts submitted to INEC, and how funds were disbursed with no corresponding documentation or approval.
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Among its terms of reference, the panel was tasked to: investigate breaches of the 2022 Constitution of the SDP; examine the state of the party’s accounts; determine irregularities in the production of the audited accounts submitted to INEC and recommend safeguards for financial accountability.
In response to the report, the NWC is reportedly considering formal expulsion of the suspended officials and forwarding the case to the EFCC for criminal prosecution.
“This report is not just a party internal affair—it sends a message to all Nigerians that the SDP is serious about transparency, integrity, and accountability,” Liman stated. “If implemented, our recommendations will help restore public trust in the party and in Nigeria’s political leadership.”
He added that the panel’s work is a watershed moment for the SDP, positioning it as a party capable of self-cleansing and enforcing discipline in a system often riddled with impunity.
On June 24, the NWC of the SDP suspended Gabam, Clarkson, and Chukwuma following what it called “grave financial violations” and breach of internal processes.
The party alleged that the trio moved large sums from SDP’s accounts without any approvals, prompting the formation of the disciplinary committee to investigate.
Despite receiving formal letters and invitations, Gabam and Chukwuma declined to appear before the panel. Their continued absence has been interpreted by party insiders as tacit admission or disregard for party discipline.
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