INEC recognises Gabam-led SDP national executives, writes Police

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed the Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the authentic leadership of the party.

This was contained in a correspondence by the Commission to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police, which had requested the names of the authentic officials of the party in a bid to address the long-standing leadership crisis rocking the SDP.

The letter, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, was addressed to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Abuja.

Titled “RE: Request for Names of the National Executives of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” the letter reads in part:

“Your letter reference No. SB/3380/FCT/VOL.3/11 dated 28th July 2025 on the above subject refers. Please find attached the list of the National Executive of the Social Democratic Party as requested.”

The attached list contained the names of officers elected at the party’s national convention held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on 8th June 2022. They include:

Alh. Shehu Musa Gabam – National Chairman
Dr Olu Agunloye – National Secretary
Amb. Rufus B. Aiyenigba – National Publicity Secretary
Hon. Ogbonna Uchechukwu – National Speaker, Youth Parliament
Barr. Joseph Abu – National Organizing Secretary
Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi – National Speaker, Women
Hajiya Maggie M. Batubo – National Treasurer
Dr Aderemi Abimbo – National Legal Adviser
Chief Lekan Alabi – National Leader, PWD
Nze Clarkson Nnadi – National Auditor
Senator Mohammed Alkali – National Vice Chairman, North-West
Fredrick E. Owotorufe – National Vice Chairman, South-South
Sir Chief Arinze Ekelem – National Vice Chairman, South-East
Hon. Abdullahi M. Kani – National Vice Chairman, North-Central
Chief Silas Alani Itvedp – National Vice Chairman, South-West
Obinna Bright Ekwebelem – South-East Zonal Secretary
Bassagi Gimba – North-Central Zonal Secretary

The correspondence reaffirmed Gabam as National Chairman and Dr Agunloye as National Secretary.

It would be recalled that a faction of the party had suspended Gabam and two other members over alleged misconduct and appointed Dr Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as Acting National Chairman. Another faction, loyal to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, also emerged, dissolving the Gabam and Agunloye-led NWC and naming Comrade Abubakar Modibbo as Acting National Chairman.

In response, the SDP disowned El-Rufai, stressing that he had been banned from the party for over 30 years and had no legitimate role in its affairs.

The leadership tussle prompted the FCT Police Command to officially seek clarification from INEC in order to restore law and order within the party.

Reacting to INEC’s affirmation, Alhaji Gabam commended the Nigeria Police Force for seeking clarification from the electoral body rather than relying on what he described as “falsehood from desperate politicians seeking to destroy the party for selfish interests.”

He cautioned individuals still parading themselves as NWC members outside the INEC-authenticated list to desist, warning that security agencies would arrest and prosecute them for impersonation.

Gabam reaffirmed that under his leadership, the SDP remains committed to providing a credible platform for patriotic Nigerians to deliver good governance to citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.