SDP SUSPENDS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, TWO OTHERS OVER ALLEGED FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has suspended its National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Chukwuma Uchechukwu, National Youth Leader, over allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds. The suspension was announced by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, in a statement on Tuesday.

According to Aiyenigba, the decision followed a resolution of a meeting of the NWC, where overwhelming evidence was presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without necessary approvals of the NWC. “The national working committee of the Social Democratic Party has approved the immediate suspension of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, the national chairman, along with Nze Nnadi Clarkson and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, over grave allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of party funds,” the statement read.

The party emphasized that the suspension is to allow for a thorough investigation and to uphold its integrity as a political party. “Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” Aiyenigba said. An interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.

Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman (North), has been directed to assume leadership of the party pending the outcome of the investigations. The suspension has been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and all relevant anti-graft and security agencies have been formally notified.