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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Social Democratic Party (SDP), has declared that Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe is the legitimate national chairman of the party, dismissing claims by former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, as the party’s leader.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, at the weekend, the claims by the former national chairman were described as baseless, as he had since been expelled from the party.
Araba explained that the clarification had become imperative to refute Gabam’s claims that a court ruling had restored him to office; hence he remained the chairman of the SDP.
He said it would be absurd for someone who was allegedly expelled from the party for alleged financial misappropriation, to still be parading himself as a national chairman. He added that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had ratified Gombe’s position as National Chairman on March 9, 2026.
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According to the SDP’s spokesperson, the Court of Appeal had ruled that the trial court had no jurisdiction to determine the leadership of a political party, and that such matters were internal affairs, pointing out that the ruling of the Appellate Court supported Gombe’s position as the legitimate chairman of the party.
“Gabam’s expulsion was a result of a disciplinary process that followed due procedure. He was initially suspended on June 24, 2025, and later expelled on October 23, 2025, for gross financial misappropriation and malfeasance.
“The SDP will not engage with Gabam’s claims, as he is no longer a member of the party. The party is assuring stakeholders that we remain stable and focused on the 2027 general elections,” the statement stated.
The statement, however, urged Nigerians to disregard Gabam’s claims and assured them that the SDP was committed to promoting social justice, democratic consolidation, and national redemption.
