The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday, approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gbam, and two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), namely: Nze Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, National Youth Leader, over allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds.
A statement from the Party, signed by Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, National Publicity Secretary, Social Democratic Party, said the suspension was in exercise of the NWC’s exclusive powers as guaranteed in Article 19.1; 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the Party Constitution (2022 as Amended).
The statement said the decision followed a resolution of a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), where overwhelming evidence was presented linking the suspended officials to series of unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without necessary approvals of the NWC.
“The action of the NWC to suspend the National Chairman and two members of the NWC involved in the gross financial misconduct is to 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.
“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.
“An interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.
In the interim, the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar has been directed to assume leadership of the party pending the outcome of the investigations.
According to the statement, misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of Naira, including donations and resources released from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party’s accounts.
“The suspension of has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), and all relevant anti- graft agencies and security agencies have been formally notified.
“The suspension of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma takes immediate effect.
“The general public is hereby requested to be appropriately guided by the development,” the statement added.
