Internal crisis rocks SDP over NWC appointment  

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) appears to have joined other opposition parties grappling with internal crises.

The party’s leadership is at loggerheads over the formation of its National Working Committee (NWC), with some members accusing the leadership of fueling the internal crisis for personal interests.

Members are accusing the National Chairman of the party, Shehu Gabam, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of being the masterminds behind the current crisis.

On Thursday, May 15, the party announced a significant move to reposition itself for victory by filling three vacant positions in the NWC.

According to the party, the NWC, in line with Article 12.5 of its amended 2022 Constitution and following a mandate from the National Convention, filled the positions of Deputy National Chairman (South), Deputy National Chairman (North), and National Financial Secretary.

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This was disclosed in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, following the NWC meeting.

The meeting, presided over by the National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, saw the appointments of Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello to the respective positions.

According to the statement, the trio—Senator Uba as Deputy National Chairman (South), Prof. Abubakar as Deputy National Chairman (North), and Mr. Bello as National Financial Secretary—are now members of the party’s NWC, having been duly and validly appointed.

However, the leadership and members of the SDP State Chairmen’s Forum congratulated the newly appointed NWC members and expressed appreciation to the party’s national chairman, national secretary, and all NWC members for their decision to strengthen the party through the latest nominations.

The group described the move as evidence that the party is making progress.

This was stated in a release by the Chairman of Chairmen, SDP Nigeria, Femi Olaninyi.

The statement read, “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the newly nominated members of the National Working Committee, including Dr. Sadiq Umar Gombe, who will serve as the Deputy National Chairman, North; Senator Ugochukwu Uba, the Deputy National Chairman, South; and Bello Ado Hussaini, the National Financial Secretary.

“Your appointments signify a call to duty, and we encourage you to foster collaboration and leverage your extensive experience for the party’s growth.

“The Forum of Chairmen, under the leadership of Femi Olaninyi, reaffirms our support for the party’s leadership, guided by our dedicated national chairman.

“His wisdom, capacity, and selfless leadership have enabled him to identify exceptional individuals for key roles within the party across the Nigerian political landscape.

“May God grant you the wisdom to achieve even more for our great party. We pray the newly appointed executive members will align themselves with the vision of our national chairman.”

Meanwhile, a few days after the announcement, the National Chairman of the party, Shehu Gabam, at a press briefing in Abuja, refuted the claims, stating that no new appointments had been made to the SDP’s NWC. Despite participating in the meeting, Gabam insisted that no such appointments were made.

Represented by the SDP Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu, he said, “The attention of the National Leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been drawn to several misleading media reports claiming that three new appointments have been made to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

“The positions in question—Deputy National Chairman (North), Deputy National Chairman (South), and National Financial Secretary—are allegedly occupied by Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, and Mr. Hussaini Ado Bello, as attributed to the SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.

“We categorically state that no such appointments have been made. The press release in circulation is false, unauthorized, and does not reflect the decisions or procedures of the SDP National Working Committee.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the SDP NWC has not convened any constitutional session or meeting to fill vacant positions within the committee as reported.

“The National Executive remains committed to due process, internal democracy, and inclusive stakeholder participation from all geopolitical zones in any future restructuring efforts.

“As the 2027 general elections approach, we are not unaware of calculated attempts by certain individuals and political opponents to sow discord and weaken the only credible opposition party still standing in Nigeria.

“Let it be known: the SDP is focused, united, and determined to rescue Nigeria through purposeful leadership and grassroots empowerment.

“If and when the time comes to strengthen the NWC or other critical party structures, such actions will be strategic, consultative, and transparent, with all zones and relevant party organs carried along.

“The SDP national leadership is mindful of the anxiety and confusion these misleading publications may have caused among our members, supporters, and the Nigerian public—many of whom see the SDP as a vehicle of hope and national redemption come 2027.

“We urge all Nigerians to disregard the unauthorized reports and remain confident in the integrity and cohesion of the SDP leadership.

“The alleged meeting of Thursday, May 15, 2025, cited in the reports, did not authorize any appointments, and no such resolution was adopted.

“As we prepare for 2027, we call on all members to return to the grassroots, sensitizing and mobilizing support across polling units, especially in states where our electoral visibility must be significantly improved.

“Finally, we remind our members that the SDP is not a personal project but a national platform driven by the ideals of inclusion, transparency, and service.

“We remain resolute in our mission to deliver a better Nigeria for all and will not be distracted by propaganda or the antics of those seeking to derail our progress.”

Also, a member representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency in Nasarawa State and Chairman of the SDP Caucus in the House of Representatives, Jonathan Gazah, said the party would investigate the release and take decisive action.

Despite Gabam’s position, the National Secretary of the party, Dr. Olu Agunloye, in a letter dated May 16, 2025, informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the appointments of new NWC members.

The letter reads,“This is to officially inform your office that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party met at the National Secretariat on Thursday, 15 May 2025, in a session attended by 11 of the 12 existing members, to appoint the remaining three members of the 15-member National Working Committee, as per Article 12.5 of the 2022 Constitution of the SDP (as amended) and the mandate of the June 8, 2022 National Convention.

“The INEC Chairman is hereby formally informed that the National Working Committee has appointed three persons to the NWC in accordance with the provisions of the SDP Constitution: Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Deputy National Chairman (South); Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman (North); and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello, National Financial Secretary.

“These appointments are for an initial period of four (4) years or until the next National Convention, whichever comes first, and are subject to satisfactory performance.”

In response to the unfolding events, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai stated that he expects the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to infiltrate the SDP and create a crisis—just as it allegedly did with the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While discussing his defection to the SDP, El-Rufai, a founding APC member, noted that many Nigerians have lost faith in the APC and PDP, and that the SDP has the potential to fill this void as a credible alternative.

El-Rufai said, “Since I joined the Social Democratic Party on March 10, I have been gratified by the reception of Nigerians and the love expressed for the party.

“It seems clear to me that most Nigerians have lost hope in both the APC and PDP and are looking for a credible alternative.”

He attributed this growing trust to the party’s history and pedigree, noting that since he and others joined, many Nigerians now see the SDP as a symbol of hope for the future.

Speaking on the recent influx of members, El-Rufai said he expects the APC to stir up crisis within the party.

“So, there has been an influx, but with that influx, we also expect that the sitting government and ruling party will try to inject viruses into the party to create a crisis—just as they have done in the Labour Party, NNPP, and PDP.”

El-Rufai added that the party has worked diligently to prevent internal crises by conducting thorough assessments and exercising due diligence regarding those entrusted with leadership positions.

As the fight for the soul of the SDP intensifies, many political observers and Nigerians are looking to leaders like Prince Adewole Adebayo to step in and use their experience to resolve the crisis.

 

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE