The leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Thursday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives of interfering in the party’s internal affairs following what it described as a police-backed attempt by suspended former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, to access the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, alleged that police officers accompanied Gabam and his associates to the secretariat ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for Saturday in Bauchi State.
According to Gombe, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were preparing for the convention when security personnel allegedly ordered party officials out of the premises before allowing Gabam and his associates access to the building.
He maintained that Gabam had ceased to be a member of the party, having been suspended and later expelled over allegations bordering on misconduct, financial impropriety and anti-party activities.
Gombe said a five-member disciplinary committee chaired by retired Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Liman was constituted to investigate the allegations and provide fair hearing to affected officers.
According to him, the committee later recommended Gabam’s expulsion, which was ratified by the NWC and endorsed at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on March 9.
He further stated that representatives of INEC monitored the NEC meeting and certified its proceedings, including resolutions affirming his appointment as national chairman and ratifying Gabam’s expulsion.
Gombe, however, accused INEC of attempting to interfere in the party’s internal matters by inviting the leadership to a dispute resolution meeting despite what he described as the absence of any internal dispute.
“The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that the internal affairs of political parties are their exclusive preserve,” he said.
He added that the SDP would proceed with its national convention in Bauchi, noting that members from across the country had already mobilised for the exercise.
Also reacting in a statement, former SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, alleged that the presence of security operatives at the party secretariat was aimed at disrupting the party’s presidential nomination process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo expressed concern over what he described as attempts to intimidate opposition forces and frustrate his ambition to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
He also alleged that some political actors were involved in efforts to destabilise the party’s internal processes.
Sources within the party said Adebayo had visited the secretariat for his nomination screening before policemen reportedly arrived at the premises, causing anxiety among party officials and supporters.
National Secretary of the party, Dr Olu Agunloye, also condemned the alleged incident at the secretariat, describing it as an attempt to destabilise the party ahead of the convention and the 2027 elections.
Agunloye alleged that some party officials were preparing to travel to Bauchi when security operatives entered the headquarters.
He said the party had formally responded to INEC’s invitation for dialogue, insisting that there was no leadership dispute within the SDP.
According to him, only a few expelled members were responsible for the current tensions within the party.
The SDP leadership maintained that preparations for the Bauchi convention and the party’s political activities ahead of 2027 would continue as planned.
