Police Summon SDP Leaders Over Leadership Crisis

The leadership crisis within the Social Democratic Party has taken a fresh turn after members of the party’s National Working Committee were reportedly invited by the police over an alleged attempt to forcefully take over the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the National Chairman of the party, Sadiq Gombe, confirmed that he was informed about the police invitation, although he said no formal notice was personally served on him. 

He explained that the invitation affected members of the National Working Committee following the disputed leadership battle and the failed move to reclaim the party headquarters.

Gombe said the party had earlier petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged financial misconduct involving the expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam. According to him, the petition alleged financial crimes amounting to six hundred and twenty-six million naira. 

He said the matter was referred to a Deputy Inspector-General of Police for investigation, but lamented that no concrete action had followed despite repeated reminders and petitions to security agencies.

The SDP chairman also disclosed that petitions had been submitted to agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services over alleged financial impropriety within the party. 

He questioned the basis for the latest police invitation, insisting that the issues had already been escalated through official channels.

Defending the disciplinary measures taken against some party officials, Gombe said affected individuals were given opportunities to appear before a disciplinary committee chaired by Sadiq Lima, but allegedly failed to honour the invitation. 

He said a white paper committee later reviewed the panel’s findings and recommended their expulsion in line with the party’s constitution.

He further rejected suggestions that external institutions could determine the leadership of the party, maintaining that internal party affairs remain the exclusive responsibility of political parties, as upheld by the Supreme Court. 

According to him, neither the Independent National Electoral Commission nor media campaigns could impose leadership on the SDP.

The latest development follows weeks of tension within the party after conflicting claims emerged over the authentic national leadership of the SDP. Reports indicate that two weeks earlier, former chairman Shehu Gabam allegedly arrived at the party secretariat in Abuja with armed policemen in an attempt to regain control of the party structure.

The crisis reportedly intensified in October 2025 after Gabam, alongside Uchechukwu and the party’s National Auditor, Clarkson Nnadi, were expelled over allegations bordering on misconduct and financial impropriety.

Source: punch