The leadership crisis within the Social Democratic Party has taken a new turn following reports that members of the party’s National Working Committee were invited by the police over an alleged attempt to forcefully take over the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking on the development, SDP National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, confirmed awareness of the invitation but stated that he had not personally received any formal communication from the police.
According to him, the invitation reportedly affected members of the NWC in connection with the ongoing internal dispute and an alleged failed takeover of the party headquarters.
“I was told the SDP leadership had been invited by the police following the failed attempt to take over our party headquarters. I didn’t receive any such invitation personally, but I realise all members of the NWC were invited. I want to assure you that we are always ready,” Gombe said.
The SDP chairman disclosed that the party had earlier petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over allegations of financial misconduct involving an expelled national chairman.
“The police don’t even need to invite us. When this thing happened, we wrote a letter to the Inspector-General of Police. We asked him to investigate the fraudulent and financial crimes against the expelled national chairman to the tune of N626 million,” he said.
Gombe further claimed that despite official directives from the police hierarchy, investigations into the allegations had yet to progress.
“We were there following the matter for three months. They could not prosecute or investigate Gabam. Then we had to write another letter to the Inspector-General of Police as a reminder on our petition against the expelled national chairman,” he added.
He expressed concern over what he described as inaction by security and anti-graft agencies despite complaints lodged before institutions including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Department of State Services.
On the disciplinary measures taken within the party, Gombe said affected individuals were given opportunities to defend themselves before a disciplinary committee but allegedly declined to participate.
“The committee sat for 14 days in our national headquarters. Unfortunately, Gabam and the national youth leader felt they are above the law and constitution of the party. They refused to appear before the disciplinary committee set up to give them a fair hearing and clear their names,” he said.
He explained that a white paper committee later reviewed the disciplinary panel’s report and recommended the expulsion of those involved.
“At the end of the day, we set up a white paper committee that reviewed the disciplinary committee report and recommended their expulsion. The SDP is an institution governed by law, through its constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Gombe stated.
The SDP chairman also rejected suggestions that external bodies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could determine the party’s leadership, insisting that political parties reserve the right to manage their internal affairs.
“INEC or media propaganda is not what makes somebody chairman of a party. The Supreme Court has ruled severally that internal affairs of political parties are exclusive to them. The parties are the ones to decide who should be their leader, not INEC,” he said.
The crisis in the SDP has intensified in recent months following conflicting claims over the party’s authentic leadership amid court interventions and disagreements over the control of party structures.
The dispute reportedly escalated two weeks ago when former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, whose removal remains contested, allegedly arrived at the party secretariat in Abuja accompanied by armed policemen in a bid to regain control.
The leadership crisis reportedly worsened 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.
