Akure, Nigeria — The Ondo State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has debunked reports suggesting the party has entered into any coalition, insisting that the party remains united and independent despite ongoing internal wrangling at the national level.
Speaking during a meeting with party leaders in Akure on Monday, the chairman disclosed that recent suspension of the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, was connected to financial mismanagement and alleged attempts to compromise the party’s integrity.
According to him, the National Working Committee (NWC) discovered multiple irregularities after requesting bank statements linked to proceeds from the sale of nomination forms.
He claimed that millions of naira were unaccounted for, with funds allegedly diverted by Gabam and a few close allies.
“INEC still recognizes Alhaji Shehu Gabam as the national chairman, but internally he has been suspended to allow proper investigation. If cleared, he may return. But if guilty, the law will take its course,” he said.
The chairman revealed that Professor Sadiq Gombe has been appointed as the acting national chairman, while Dr. Olu Aguloye of Ondo State remains the national secretary.
On the matter of coalition politics, he alleged that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had attempted to drag SDP into a coalition with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) through the “back door.”
“El-Rufai came through one man, tried to bribe his way, and even attempted to force our leaders into signing resignations. He wanted to sell the party. Because of this, he has been banned from party activities,” he declared.
The chairman further alleged that El-Rufai’s loyalists broke into the national secretariat to cart away party documents but were caught and arrested.
He insisted that SDP is not in any coalition, neither with ADC nor any other political party.
“As of today, SDP is SDP. We are not merging with anyone. Any claim otherwise is false,” he stressed.
The Ondo chairman also lamented lack of financial support from the national body, disclosing that state chapters often tax themselves heavily to sustain party activities.
“Members are contributing through their noses just to keep the party alive at the state level. Yet the millions from nomination forms have not been accounted for,” he added.
The meeting ended with a renewed call for transparency and discipline within the party, as the Ondo SDP reaffirmed its loyalty to the national structure but vowed to resist any backdoor coalition moves.
