The leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives of interfering in the party’s internal affairs following a police-backed takeover of its national secretariat ahead of its national convention in Bauchi State.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the National Chairman of the party, Professor Sadiq Gombe, and the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, insisted that the party remains united and would proceed with its planned convention despite what they described as intimidation and attempts to destabilise the opposition party.
Agunloye disclosed that the party received a letter from INEC inviting it to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) meeting over an unspecified dispute.
“Normally, it is the people concerned that request for ADR. So we actually do not know why they are calling us for ADR,” he said.
He explained that the only issue before the party involved individuals who had allegedly been duly suspended and expelled from the SDP after internal disciplinary processes.
“The only thing that is between them and us is the imposition of a member that we have duly expelled from the party following all due processes, which INEC itself rejected in the verdict in the National Executive Committee meeting certified by INEC itself,” Agunloye stated.
According to him, confusion erupted at the party secretariat while members were preparing to depart for the Bauchi convention.
“People were in our office obtaining forms when some people marched into the office with tear gas,” he alleged.
Agunloye further claimed that police officers later stormed the secretariat, forced members out of the building, and sealed the premises under the pretext of preventing a breakdown of law and order.
“At the point it was happening, I tried to get the Inspector General of Police. Within 10 minutes, he replied and said I should call the FCT police command. We did, but more police came and forced everybody out of the building,” he said.
He alleged that shortly after party officials vacated the premises, another faction was allowed access into the office.
“We told them this looks like a ploy. You want us to leave so another group can come back and take over the office. It is the same ploy they have used in other parties,” he added.
Despite the development, Agunloye maintained that the convention would proceed as scheduled in Bauchi.
“We are not going to be distracted by this. When we finish this conference, we are going to Bauchi to do the convention,” he declared.
Also speaking, SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Gombe, defended the suspension and expulsion of some party officials, saying due process was followed in accordance with the party constitution.
He explained that a disciplinary committee set up by the National Working Committee investigated allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety against the affected officials.
“The committee sat daily for two weeks. Some of the suspended officers appeared before the panel, while others refused to appear,” he said.
Gombe said the committee’s recommendations were later ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC), leading to the expulsion of some members.
“According to Article 19(c) of the constitution of the party, you have five working days within which to appeal any disciplinary action. Those expelled never appealed through any internal mechanism, nor did they challenge the action in court,” he said.
The SDP chairman accused INEC of interfering in the party’s internal affairs despite an earlier court judgment restraining such actions.
“We took INEC to court and secured judgment against them on December 19, 2025. INEC was fined N2 million and warned to stop interfering in the internal affairs of political parties,” Gombe claimed.
He further insisted that there was no leadership vacuum within the party and rejected allegations that there was any unresolved internal dispute warranting mediation by INEC.
“As far as we are concerned, there is no dispute in the party. We have duly notified INEC of our convention as required by law,” he stated.
The party leadership also alleged that supporters had protested against what they described as external interference in SDP affairs, carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as “Tinubu Leave SDP Alone.”
According to the officials, the developments should not be viewed in isolation, as party members and supporters were increasingly concerned about alleged attempts to destabilise the SDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gombe, however, urged party members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while proceeding to Bauchi for the convention.
“We are not deterred. We are going ahead with our convention. Nobody will intimidate us in our own country,” he said.
