The internal crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) took another turn on Thursday as the party’s factional National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of meddling in the party’s affairs and fueling tensions within the opposition platform.
Addressing journalists at the SDP national secretariat, Gombe alleged that the electoral commission was attempting to create confusion and destabilize the party amid its ongoing leadership dispute.
The controversy is linked to the activities of the party’s former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, and members believed to be loyal to him.
Reports surrounding the crisis claimed that Gabam and his supporters arrived at the party secretariat with suspected political thugs, creating tension before security operatives stepped in to restore calm.
Speaking on the matter, Gombe defended the suspension and eventual expulsion of officials aligned with Gabam, insisting that the disciplinary measures followed due process and complied fully with the SDP constitution.
According to him, the affected individuals were investigated over allegations bordering on misconduct, financial irregularities and activities considered harmful to the party’s interests.
Gombe revealed that the party constituted a five-member investigative panel led by Air Vice Marshal Bakir Sadiq Gilmour to examine the allegations.
He explained that all those involved were formally invited to appear before the committee and present their defence.
The SDP chairman stated that the investigative panel sat for two weeks at the party headquarters before submitting its findings to the National Working Committee, which later established a white paper committee that recommended the expulsion of the affected members.
He further claimed that Gabam failed to honour the committee’s invitation despite efforts to resolve the matter internally.
Gombe also criticised INEC’s role in the dispute, expressing shock over what he described as the commission’s unnecessary involvement in the party’s internal leadership issues.
According to him, SDP leaders were unexpectedly invited to an alternative dispute resolution meeting by INEC despite the party not recognising any formal dispute requiring the commission’s intervention.
He argued that political parties have the constitutional right to manage their own internal affairs without outside interference and accused the electoral body of attempting to influence the party’s leadership structure.
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Despite the escalating tensions, Gombe maintained that the SDP would proceed with its planned national convention in Bauchi, stressing that the party would not be intimidated or distracted by the ongoing crisis.