N5b SDP Fraud Scandal Deepens as Gombe Accuses Gabam of Secretariats Invasion

Fresh crisis has erupted in the Social Democratic Party following allegations of financial misconduct involving about N5 billion, with the party’s National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Umar Gombe, accusing former chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, of ignoring an internal probe and leading a violent invasion of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Gombe made the allegations on Monday while speaking with journalists after court proceedings in Abuja, insisting that Gabam’s suspension and eventual expulsion were carried out in line with the party’s constitution and due process.

According to him, the crisis began on June 24, 2025, after allegations of financial misappropriation, constitutional breaches and other infractions were levelled against Gabam and some members of the party’s National Working Committee.

He said the party immediately set up a disciplinary and investigative panel chaired by a retired Air Vice Marshal to examine the allegations.

“The committee sat for 14 working days and invited all affected persons, but some of them refused to appear before the panel,” Gombe said.

He disclosed that several prominent Nigerians later intervened and proposed a peaceful resolution that would allow Gabam to resign voluntarily while petitions already submitted to security agencies would be withdrawn.

However, he said the arrangement eventually collapsed.

Gombe further accused Gabam and his loyalists of storming the SDP national secretariat on May 7, 2026, allegedly accompanied by armed security operatives and political thugs.

According to him, offices were vandalised during the incident while sensitive party documents were allegedly taken away.

“Invasion of the national secretariat with armed men and thugs was completely unacceptable,” he said, adding that the development raised serious concerns about internal democracy and political intolerance.

The SDP chairman maintained that the party’s National Executive Committee validly ratified his emergence as national chairman during its March 2026 meeting and also approved Gabam’s suspension and expulsion.

He said the meeting complied fully with the Electoral Act and provisions of the party constitution, stressing that certified documents relating to the proceedings had already been tendered before the court.

Gombe also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of refusing to monitor the party’s convention despite receiving the required 21-day notice.

He alleged that the electoral body instead monitored what he described as a “kangaroo gathering” in Abuja under heavy security protection.

The SDP chairman questioned the deployment of hundreds of policemen to the meeting, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite the deepening crisis, Gombe said the party remained open to reconciliation and peaceful settlement outside the courtroom if all parties agreed to follow lawful procedures.

According to him, the court case was not about leadership struggle but allegations of criminal diversion of party funds and constitutional violations.

He revealed that he testified before the court and submitted disciplinary reports, bank transaction records, invitation letters and company documents allegedly linked to laundering of party funds.

The case was adjourned till June 17, 2026, for continuation of hearing.