₦1 Billion Scandal Rocks SDP: Suspended Chairman Faces Expulsion, EFCC Probe

The leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is reportedly preparing to expel its suspended National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two other senior party officials, in the wake of grave allegations of financial misconduct. ACCORDING TO IREPORTER ONLINE, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has finalized plans to refer the case to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), after the accused failed to appear before the internal disciplinary panel convened to investigate the matter.

The probe panel, led by Air Vice Marshal Abubakar-Sadick Liman, was set up to investigate accusations of conspiracy, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds reportedly amounting to over ₦1 billion. Gabam, along with Nze Nnadi Clarkson (the National Auditor) and Uchechukwu Chukwuma (the National Youth Leader), were all invited to present their defenses but refused to attend, with only the suspended National Auditor honouring the panel’s summons.

In his report to the Acting National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, and other NWC members, Liman recounted that the committee had been inaugurated on July 4, 2025, with a 14-day deadline to conduct a thorough investigation. The committee was tasked with determining the veracity of the financial allegations, evaluating the state of the party’s accounts, and making recommendations on how to improve financial governance within the party to avoid future abuse.

ACCORDING TO IREPORTER ONLINE, while many relevant stakeholders—including personal aides to the suspended chairman, contractors, and the party’s external auditor—appeared before the committee, only one of the three accused principal officers cooperated with the investigation. The committee nonetheless gathered what it described as compelling evidence from both testimonies and financial documents provided by the NWC.

The findings, according to the report, were far-reaching and aimed not just at restoring the party’s credibility but also at reinforcing public confidence in democratic institutions. Liman emphasized that the recommendations go beyond the party’s internal affairs, serving as a bold message to Nigerians that leadership built on integrity, transparency, and accountability is possible. He noted that the committee’s work is meant to reposition the SDP for effective leadership while sending a strong signal against impunity.

ACCORDING TO IREPORTER ONLINE, the NWC had initiated the probe in response to allegations against Gabam and the two other officials regarding the handling of over ₦1 billion in party funds. The committee has now urged the party to act on its recommendations, which include expelling the indicted members and forwarding the case to the EFCC for criminal prosecution.

The development signals a critical moment for the SDP, which now finds itself navigating a high-stakes battle to salvage its image and integrity ahead of future elections. Party stakeholders are hopeful that the disciplinary action will serve as a turning point, signaling the dawn of a more accountable leadership structure within the party.