SDP suspends Chairman,two others over alleged financial misconduct

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), namely: Mr. Nnadi Clarkson Nnadi, National Auditor, and Chukwuma Ogbonna Uchechukwu, National Youth Leader over grave allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds.

The decision followed resolutions made by members of the National Working Commitee (NWC), where overwhelming evidences were presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without any approvals of the NWC.

This development first came to light when it was discovered that the National Chairman had sent an unauthorised Financial Statement to INEC as demanded from all political parties. A summary of the fraudulent account was also published in the Newspapers. When the NWC got to know this, it made a resolution to report the fraudulent abnormalities to law enforcement agencies.

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The action of the NWC to suspend the National Chairman and two members of the NWC involved in the gross financial misconduct will also demonstrate to the general public that the Party, generally esteemed by Nigerians as a disciplined party and a credible alternative political platform for national redemption has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.

According to a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party,Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, The decision to suspend the National Chairman and other implicated NWC members is to allow for a thorough, investigation. Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” the statement read.

The statement said an interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.

It said in the interim, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar has assumed leadership of the party as Acting National Chairman as per the provisions of the Constitution of the party.

The misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including donations and resources realised from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party accounts.

According to the secretary,The suspension of these officers has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and all relevant agencies.