The embattled National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has dismissed his reported expulsion from the party as “illegal, null and void,” describing it as a desperate attempt by impostors to destabilise the party.
Gabam was expelled on Thursday alongside the National Youth Leader, Ogbonna Uchechukwu, and other members of the party’s leadership.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by his special assistant (legal), Abubakar Baba, Gabam said the move was unconstitutional and of no effect.
“The said meeting is illegal, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever,” the statement read, citing Article 13 (iv) of the SDP constitution, which empowers only the national chairman to preside over meetings of the national convention, national executive committee, national working committee, and national caucus.
“Any meeting convened or presided over without the consent of the duly recognised chairman constitutes a gross violation of its constitution and a brazen attempt to usurp legitimate authority,” it added.
Baba also accused the national secretary, Olu Agunloye, of breaching Part 2 (12) 3 of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regulations and guidelines for political parties, 2022, by allegedly writing to INEC to communicate the purported decisions of the meeting.
He said a certified true copy (CTC) from INEC confirming Gabam as the recognised national chairman of the SDP had been attached as proof.
“The purported suspension of the chairman and all other members of the party is null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” the statement added.
It further alleged that Sadiq, who presided over the meeting that announced the expulsion, “was neither a member of the party nor of its national executive committee and thus had no authority to preside over any of its meetings.”
The statement advised the public to disregard the actions of the “Dr Sadiq-led group,” describing them as impostors who would be “duly punished by law.”
However, the party’s national publicity secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, told journalists at the SDP national secretariat that Gabam’s expulsion followed months of investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
Aiyenigba said the decision was part of efforts to restore discipline and accountability within the party.
Reaffirming Gabam’s leadership, the statement from his camp said the SDP remained committed to “upholding the rule of law, maintaining internal order, and protecting the integrity and reputation of the party.”
“The Alhaji Gabam leadership remains focused on building the party and strengthening the nation’s democratic ideals in partnership with loyal members,” it added.
