ABUJA 鈥 The Forum of State Chair-men of the Social Dem-ocratic Party (SDP) has declared full support for the suspension of the party鈥檚 Na-tional Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, and two other national officers. They described the dis-ciplinary action as a necessary step toward restoring integrity, accountability, and internal de-mocracy within the party.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, June 27, at Green Minds Hotel, Abuja, Hon. Femi 鈥淔errari鈥 Olaniyi, Chairman of the State Chairmen Forum, stated that the decision to suspend Gabam, along with National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi and National Youth Leader Ogbonna Chukuwma, was initiat-ed by the state chapters and rooted in overwhelming grassroots sen-timent.
鈥淲e are not in crisis,鈥 Olaniyi said. 鈥淭his is leadership cleans-ing, not a power play. The SDP must stand above reproach if we are to be a credible alternative. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.鈥
He added, 鈥淚nternal democra-cy, rule of law, and accountable leadership make all the difference for the SDP and will ultimately save Nigeria. That鈥檚 why we ap-plaud the suspension of Gabam and the others for graft.鈥
The Forum outlined numer-ous grievances against the sus-pended leaders, including finan-cial mismanagement, refusal to remit funds to state chapters, and what they called an autocratic, unilateral leadership style that flouted party processes and the constitution.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the typical case of 鈥榤on-key dey work, baboon dey chop,鈥欌 Olaniyi said, using a Nigerian Pidgin English idiom meaning 鈥渙ne person works hard while another reaps the benefits.鈥 鈥淣o state chapter has received a kobo from the money raised. When we ask, we get threats of suspen-sion.鈥
He added that the Forum has long demanded accountability and transparency, insisting that party leadership must reflect the spirit of true federalism, where states collect dues and remit to the national body, not the other way around.
The Forum strongly con-demned what it described as 鈥渙stentatious lifestyles funded by party graft,鈥 noting that the suspended officials showed 鈥渘o remorse or seriousness鈥 in the face of grave allegations.
鈥淟eadership in a party is not a passport to living above your means. It is shameful that some individuals think public office is for luxury, not service,鈥 the Forum stated. 鈥淭his is not a political com-edy skit. These are serious mat-ters requiring serious answers.鈥
They urged the National Work-ing Committee (NWC) to allow the Disciplinary Investigation Panel to operate independently, without political interference, and called for a prompt and transparent re-lease of its findings.
鈥淲e have nominated a state chairman to serve on the panel to ensure fairness and transparency. Due process and natural justice must prevail.鈥
The Forum also demanded that the Acting National Chair-man and National Secretary immediately convene a meeting of the National Executive Com-mittee (NEC) which, according to them, had not been held once un-der Gabam鈥檚 leadership, in breach of the party constitution.
鈥淭he SDP cannot afford to preach justice to Nigerians while tolerating injustice internally,鈥 Olaniyi said. 鈥淲e must cleanse ourselves of corruption, embez-zlement, and fraud if we want the people鈥檚 trust. Democracy鈥檚 lifeblood is public confidence.鈥
In a strong message to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Forum cautioned against external inter-ference, alleging that the electoral body had in the past aided insta-bility in some parties by taking sides.
鈥淲e ask INEC to respect our autonomy and allow us to enforce discipline and good governance. Any suggestion of crisis is false. We are simply following our con-stitution.鈥
The Forum鈥檚 press conference was attended by 22 State Chair-men, who collectively pledged to defend the party鈥檚 constitution and values, and reposition the SDP as 鈥渢he last hope of the or-dinary Nigerian鈥 in the face of widespread poverty, insecurity, and government mismanage-ment.
鈥淭his is not about 2027, not about APC or PDP. It is about do-ing the right thing. The SDP must not become a hypocritical party that condemns corruption in oth-ers while harboring it within. We must be above board more than Caesar鈥檚 wife.鈥