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After maintaining a rare post-election calm among opposition parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is now facing a significant internal crisis sparked by disputed leadership appointments.
A press release issued last week by National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba introduced three new members of the party’s National Working Committee: Senator Ugochukwu Uba (Deputy National Chairman, South), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar (Deputy National Chairman, North), and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello (National Financial Secretary).
While some within the party viewed the appointments as part of a calculated pre-2027 realignment, the development quickly took a controversial turn.
Party chairman Shehu Musa Gabam, speaking through Deputy National Secretary Muhammad Biu, dismissed the announcement, labeling it “unauthorized and false.”
“The National Working Committee has not adopted any resolution on new appointments.
“The statement circulating is misleading and does not reflect the party’s decision,” Biu stated at a media briefing in Abuja.
He cautioned against any internal attempts to destabilize the SDP and urged members to ignore the announcement.
However, National Secretary Dr. Olu Agunloye countered Gabam’s narrative, saying a legitimate meeting had taken place on May 15 with nearly full attendance from the NWC. “Gabam is acting in bad faith.
The majority of NWC members voted in favour. He is now crying foul because the outcome didn’t favour him,” he argued.
Agunloye also accused Gabam of colluding with former APC stalwart and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently joined the party, to reverse the committee’s decisions.
On May 16, Agunloye wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), formally informing them of the leadership changes.
His letter stated: “The NWC met on Thursday, May 15, and appointed the remaining three members of the 15-member committee in line with Article 12.5 of the 2022 Constitution and the mandate of the June 8, 2022 National Convention.”
The new appointments, according to the letter, are to remain in effect for four years or until the next national convention.