“Integrity Must Return to the Party”: SDP Expels Ex-Chairman Shehu Gabam, Top Officials over Financial Misconduct

Abuja, October 23, 2025 — Naija247news

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled its former National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, and several senior officials, citing allegations of financial misappropriation, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.

The expulsion, announced in Abuja on Thursday, followed the adoption of the party’s Disciplinary Committee report and an accompanying White Paper, which reviewed months of investigations into the alleged breaches.

Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s National Secretariat, National Publicity Secretary Rufus Aiyenigba said the decision marked a critical step in the SDP’s effort to restore transparency and discipline to its leadership structure.

“The move followed the adoption of the report of the Disciplinary Committee and a subsequent White Paper which reviewed the findings and recommendations on the allegations brought against the affected officers,” Aiyenigba told reporters.

Months of Internal Turmoil

The crisis began on June 24, 2025, when the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended Gabam, National Youth Leader Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu, and National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi after a prima facie case of misconduct and financial impropriety was established.

To ensure due process, the party inaugurated an independent Disciplinary Committee on July 4, 2025, which conducted a two-week probe and submitted its report on July 18. The NWC later adopted the White Paper on August 15, setting the stage for the final decision.

The Expelled Officers

Those affected by the expulsion include:

• Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam – Former National Chairman

• Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu – Former National Youth Leader

• Mr. Clarkson Nnadi – Former National Auditor (resigned prior to the decision)

• Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, Abubakar Dogara, Nuraddeen Bisalla, Solsuema Osaro, Ambo Ekpeyong, Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry, Hmphrey Unwukaeze, and Judith Israel Shuaibu — all accused of disloyalty and unlawful entry into the party’s secretariat on July 28.

According to Aiyenigba, the expelled members were apprehended by security operatives while allegedly in possession of sensitive party documents and valuables removed from the secretariat, acts he described as “tantamount to sabotage.”

He said the affected members are facing criminal prosecution, and that their expulsion “takes immediate effect from Thursday, October 23, 2025.”

Party Reforms Underway

Aiyenigba emphasized that the disciplinary actions were taken to restore order, integrity, and credibility to the SDP, which has faced internal divisions in recent years.

“The National Working Committee is fully committed to transparency, accountability, and constitutional order in the administration of the Social Democratic Party,” he said.

He added that additional administrative reforms recommended by the White Paper will be implemented to prevent future leadership crises.

Background: The Road to Expulsion

The disciplinary showdown marks the climax of months of tension within the SDP, one of Nigeria’s oldest political movements. The party, which once served as a third-force alternative to the APC and PDP, has struggled to maintain internal cohesion amid allegations of corruption and poor leadership.

Political observers note that Gabam’s expulsion could pave the way for a reorganization of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the current leadership seeks to rebuild public trust and reposition the SDP as a credible voice for social democracy in Nigeria.

📌 Editor’s Note: For content partnerships and collaborations, reach out via editor@naija247news.com

Reporting by Emman Tochi in Lagos, Nigeria.