The leadership crisis in the Social Democratic Party deepened on Wednesday after the faction loyal to reinstated National Chairman Shehu Gabam announced the expulsion of 13 senior party figures, including the party’s former presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo.
The decision was taken during the party’s National Convention and Presidential Primary in Abuja. Delegates loyal to Gabam also adopted Lagos businessman Abimbola Atanda as the party’s new sole presidential candidate through a voice vote.
Those expelled alongside Adebayo include factional National Chairman Sadiq Gombe; National Secretary Dr Olu Agunloye; National Publicity Secretary Rufus Aiyenigba; Joseph Abu, Maggie Batubo, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, Abimbola Aderemi, Oguchukwu Uba, Huseesini Bello, Alabi Lekan, Rosemary Effiong and Abubakar Modibo.
The convention dissolved the National Working Committee and elected a new set of national officers through a voice vote.
The newly inaugurated National Working Committee members are Gabam as National Chairman; Adebola Abbas as National Secretary; Ibrahim Biu as Deputy National Secretary; Dr Uchechukwu Chukwuma as National Organising Secretary; Muka’ila Mavo as National Legal Adviser; Zakari Nadabu as National Publicity Secretary; Hauwa Ahmed as National Woman Leader; Steven Otu as National Youth Leader; and Abubakar Isiaka as National Financial Secretary.
Announcing the decision, the party leadership said the affected members were sanctioned for allegedly undermining the party’s constitution and internal cohesion.
“These disciplinary measures were taken following findings that the affected individuals acted in ways inconsistent with the ideals, principles, and constitutional provisions of the party, thereby undermining party cohesion and discipline,” the National Executive Committee said.
“I therefore urge this distinguished house to approve and ratify the suspension and expulsion accordingly.”
Speaking to journalists after the oath-taking ceremony, Gabam said the crisis threatening the party had been resolved.
“We have come through a lot of challenges as a party. These challenges are all man-made. But we followed a good process. We were calm, steady and God, in His infinite mercy, has done the needful. We have bounced back and are fully operational,” he said.
“We have ensured that all the relevant organs that supervise our system and operation, including INEC, the judiciary and other institutions, were aware of some of the irregularities that took place. Being politicians trained in the heart of leadership, we maintain decorum to protect the sanctity of this platform that we have invested our lives to build.”
Gabam said turbulence had strengthened the party and improved its ability to assess national issues.
“We built a momentum to the point of fundamental trust, reliability, and a better objective in our assessment of every situation in the country. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise that we had to go through turbulence as a party. But many people don’t know that turbulence strengthens political parties,” he said.
“Any party without a crisis is a briefcase political platform. It is a crisis that strengthens a party to understand some of the gaps and how to strengthen them. You can see that we are stronger today and more viable.”
