The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), aligned with court-reinstated National Chairman Shehu Gabam, on Wednesday expelled members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and appointed new officers at a convention in Abuja.
The 13-man expulsion list included the party’s sole presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who was immediately replaced by Lagos businessman Abimbola Atanda through a voice vote.
The development comes after a rival convention led by factional chairman Prof. Sadiq Abubakar was held in Bauchi State, where a separate set of executives was elected. The two conventions reflect the deepening split within the party since a court reinstated Gabam as national chairman.
Aside from Adebayo, those expelled include factional National Chairman Prof. Sadiq Gombe, National Secretary Dr Olu Agunloye, and National Publicity Secretary Rufus Aiyenigba.
Also expelled were Joseph Abu, Maggie Batubo, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, Abimbola Aderemi, Oguchukwu Uba, Huseesini Bello, Alabi Lekan, Rosemary Effiong, and Abubakar Modibo.
A motion was moved at the Abuja convention to dissolve the National Working Committee and elect a new one.
Nominations were then called, and new executive members were elected through a voice vote.
The newly inaugurated NWC has Shehu Gabam as National Chairman and Adebola Abbas as National Secretary.
Other new officers include Ibrahim Biu as Deputy National Secretary, Dr Uchechukwu Chukwuma as National Organising Secretary, and Muka’ila Mavo as National Legal Adviser.
Zakari Nadabu emerged as National Publicity Secretary, Hauwa Ahmed as National Woman Leader, Steven Otu as National Youth Leader, and Abubakar Isiaka as National Financial Secretary.
The NEC said the disciplinary measures followed findings that the affected individuals acted contrary to the party’s ideals, principles, and constitutional provisions.
The NEC added that their actions undermined party cohesion and discipline and urged members to ratify the suspensions and expulsions.
Addressing journalists after the oath-taking ceremony, Gabam assured members that “the storm is over.”
He said the party had faced many man-made challenges but followed due process, remained calm, and had now bounced back fully.
Gabam stated that INEC, the judiciary, and other relevant institutions were aware of the irregularities that occurred.
He said the party maintained decorum to protect the platform it had invested in building and strengthened through turbulent times.
“Any party without crisis is a briefcase political platform. Crisis helps parties identify gaps and grow stronger,” he said.
In his convention address, Gabam said the SDP had endured trials, turbulence, and attempts to destabilise it but remained firm on its principles.
He thanked the judiciary for restoring lawful leadership, saying it had proven to be “the last hope of democracy itself.”
Gabam also commended INEC for complying with judicial pronouncements, saying it strengthened public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
