The Forum of State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has publicly supported the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, along with the National Auditor, Clarkson Nnadi, and the National Youth Leader, Ogbonna Chukwuma, over allegations of financial misconduct.

Speaking on behalf of the Forum at a media briefing in Abuja, Friday, Femi Adeniyi Ferrari said the move is part of efforts to promote transparency, internal democracy, and accountability within the party. He said the SDP is not in crisis but is taking steps to clean up its internal processes and ensure it lives up to its values. He stressed that no official is above the party’s constitution, and actions taken so far are within the legal framework of the party.

Ferrari also revealed that state chapters have repeatedly complained about a lack of transparency in financial matters thereby accusing the suspended chairman of failing to remit constitutionally allocated funds to the states and using threats to suppress dissent.


The Forum criticized what it described as unilateral decision-making by the suspended chairman and a disregard for collective leadership-calling for independent investigation into the allegations demanding that a state chairman be included on the disciplinary panel. The Forum also advised INEC to respect the internal processes of the party and avoid interference.