Gabam-led SDP expelled Agunloye, Adebayo and others

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) faction led by Shehu Gabam on Wednesday expelled members of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Sadiq Gombe from the party over alleged anti-party activities.

Their expulsion was announced at the Gabam-led faction’s national convention and presidential primaries held in Abuja.

Those expelled include the former Minister of Electricity, Dr. Olu Agunloye, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections: Adewole Adebayo, Dr. Sadiq Gombe, Joseph Achile, Mariam Batubo and Sa’adatu Abdullahi.

Others are Rufus Ayienigba, Mr Abimbola Aderemi, Oguchukwu Uba, Huseesini Bello, Alabi Lekan, Rosemary Effiong and Abubakar Modibo.

Gombe’s SDP NWC held its own national convention in Bauchi on May 9, where Adebayo was selected as its presidential candidate.

In his opening remarks, Gabam thanked God for his party’s survival from recent political challenges.

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He described the SDP as a people-oriented political party, founded on commitment, discipline, inclusiveness and strong democratic ideals aimed at promoting national development and stability.

Gabam noted that the party has faced many human-caused challenges, but he said that the party remains calm, legitimate and focused.

He attributed the party’s restoration of stability to divine intervention.

According to him, relevant institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), judiciary and security institutions, recently received information about irregularities affecting the party.

Gabam said party leaders maintained civility during this crisis to protect the integrity and credibility of the platform they sacrificed years to build nationally.

According to him, the SDP remains one of the most recognized opposition parties in Nigeria due to its consistency, objectivity and commitment to democratic principles over time.

The party head said that internal crises often strengthen political parties by exposing their weaknesses, unlike parties that exist only in name without a real political structure.

He expressed confidence that the party has become stronger, better organized, and better positioned to advance its political programs and goals across the country.

Gabam praised the chairman, deputy chairman and stakeholders of the party for putting aside differences and showing unity during one of the most difficult political periods the party has experienced.

But he said the party remained open to original members who wanted to return, and stressed that the SDP would not victimize such people despite recent dissent and controversy.