SDP State Chairmen Back Expulsion Of National Chairman Shehu Gabam, Hail Move As ‘Victory For The Party’

The crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has deepened as state chairmen across the country have thrown their weight behind the expulsion of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, and two other top members of the National Working Committee (NWC) over alleged misconduct and abuse of office.

In a statement released on Friday, the Chairman of the SDP State Chairmen Forum and Lagos State Chapter Chairman, Femi Olaniyi, described the removal of Gabam as a “welcome development” and a necessary step to restore discipline and integrity within the party.

“The departure of Shehu Gabam at this crucial moment marks a victory for the righteous over evil. History will not overlook the years he spent as national chairman,” Olaniyi said, according to Vanguard Newspaper.

He further alleged that Gabam had been a negative influence on the SDP’s political progress, praising the NWC for taking “a bold step to protect the party from reckless behaviour and mischief.”

“The forum of SDP state chairmen expresses heartfelt gratitude to the National Working Committee for removing Shehu Gabam and others. It is a relief to see the end of such a detrimental influence,” Olaniyi added.

The party’s leadership crisis reached a climax on Thursday, when the NWC announced the expulsion of several senior officials including Gabam and National Youth Leader, Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu following findings of a disciplinary committee.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the decision followed the adoption of the committee’s report and a white paper that reviewed the allegations of financial misconduct, abuse of office, and acts of disloyalty.

Also affected were Mr. Clarkson Nnadi, the former National Auditor, who resigned voluntarily, and eight other members allegedly involved in the unlawful entry into the party’s national secretariat on July 28, 2025.

It would be recalled that the SDP NWC had earlier suspended Gabam on June 24, citing grave financial misconduct, embezzlement, and diversion of party funds.

As of press time, Gabam has not issued any official response to either his expulsion or the endorsement of it by the state chairmen.

The move by the state leaders marks a major shift in the ongoing power tussle within the SDP, potentially setting the stage for a wider restructuring of the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.