A faction of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled its former national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, during the party’s convention held over the weekend in Bauchi.
Gabam was expelled alongside former National Youth Leader Uchechukwu Ogbonna and other executive members who were earlier suspended or had resigned. The move, cited under ‘disciplinary measures,’ was finalized through a voice vote at the convention.
The motion for the expulsion of Gabam, Ogbonna, and others for actions between June 9, 2022, and May 8, 2026, was moved and seconded by state party chairmen.
Delegates unanimously approved the motion during the 2026 National Convention and Presidential Primaries held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.
But reacting via a video in Hausa, the embattled Shehu Musa Gabam described the actions as illegal under the SDP Constitution. He insisted he was unbothered, claiming the organizers violated the Electoral Act.
‘The Constitution of the SDP is very clear; if the Chairman does not preside over a National Working Committee or NEC meeting, it is null, void, and of no effect,’ Gabam said.
He further accused Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed of interfering in the party ‘s affairs.
‘We have seen elements conducting a convention in Bauchi with the involvement of the Governor, who provided accommodations and facilities as they work to form an alliance,’ Gabam alleged.
He noted that his faction is still working at the SDP headquarters to organize a ‘legitimate’ convention scheduled for May 18-20 in Abuja.
‘We call on our teeming supporters to remain calm. INEC officials did not participate in the Bauchi exercise due to procedural violations,’ he added.
In a swift reaction, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, described the allegations as baseless. ‘It is a baseless allegation. Governor Bala Mohammed is a member of the PDM, not the SDP,’ he stated.
Meanwhile, Prince Adewole Adebayo has emerged as the SDP presidential candidate following a unanimous vote by delegates from the 36 states and the FCT.
In his acceptance speech, Adebayo vowed to rescue Nigeria from hunger, joblessness, and leadership failure.
He warned that the country is sliding toward ‘one-man rule,’ alleging that the APC has abandoned internal democracy.
‘The real danger is not a one-party state, but one-man rule. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not satisfied with being the candidate for the APC alone; he wants to be the candidate of every party,’ Adebayo alleged.
He also cited gross economic mismanagement, claiming trillions in fuel subsidy savings have disappeared while unprecedented borrowing has failed to yield visible development.