SDP Expels Ex-National Chairman Shehu Gabam, Top Officials Over Misconduct and Financial Scandal
By Queen Madaki | The Bureau News
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled its former National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, alongside several senior officials, over allegations of gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, and abuse of office.
The dramatic decision was made public on Thursday, October 23, 2025, following a tense meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its headquarters in Abuja. The NWC, after months of internal wrangling, unanimously adopted the findings of a Disciplinary Committee and the White Paper Review Panel which probed the accused officials.
‘Integrity Must Return to the Party’ — Rufus Aiyenigba Declares
Addressing journalists with visible emotion, the National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the expulsion was not a witch-hunt but a “painful but necessary cleansing” to restore trust and discipline within the SDP.
“This decision follows a long and transparent investigation. The integrity of our great party must never be compromised. The era of financial recklessness and impunity is over,” Aiyenigba said.
He revealed that the move came after the adoption of the Disciplinary Committee report and a subsequent White Paper that reviewed the allegations and confirmed wrongdoing on the part of the affected officers.
Months of Investigation, a Long Road to Justice
According to Aiyenigba, the party’s troubles began in June 2025 when a prima facie case of misconduct, financial impropriety, and gross abuse of office was established against Gabam, the National Youth Leader Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu, and the National Auditor Mr. Clarkson Nnadi.
The NWC had on June 24, 2025, suspended the trio, pending investigation. To ensure fairness, an independent Disciplinary Committee was constituted on July 4, 2025, which conducted a two-week investigation and submitted its findings on July 18, 2025.
After reviewing the committee’s report, the party’s NWC adopted a comprehensive White Paper on August 15, 2025, paving the way for Thursday’s sweeping disciplinary action.
List of Expelled Officials
The expulsion list includes:
- Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam – Former National Chairman
- Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu – Former National Youth Leader
- Mr. Clarkson Nnadi – Former National Auditor (resigned voluntarily)
- Adamu Abubakar Modibbo
- Abubakar Dogara
- Nuraddeen Bisalla
- Solsuema Osaro
- Ambo Ekpeyong
- Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry
- Humphrey Unwukaeze
- Judith Israel Shuaibu
These individuals were accused of disloyalty and unlawful entry into the SDP National Secretariat on July 28, 2025, allegedly seizing sensitive documents and party valuables before being apprehended by security operatives. They are now facing criminal prosecution.
‘A New Dawn for SDP’
In what he described as “a new beginning,” Aiyenigba emphasized that the SDP remains committed to transparency, accountability, and constitutional order. He said the actions taken were to protect the sanctity of the party’s internal democracy and send a strong signal that no one is above the law.
“We are charting a new path — one of integrity and public trust. The Social Democratic Party will not tolerate misconduct under any guise. Our values must speak louder than our slogans,” he added.
The disciplinary measures take immediate effect from Thursday, October 23, 2025, and have been endorsed by all NWC members. The decision marks the end of a bitter chapter in the SDP’s internal politics and, according to analysts, may reshape the party’s leadership dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
