ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam-led National Executives of the United Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the authentic leadership of the party.
This was contained in a statement by INEC to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, requesting the names of the authentic officials of the party in order to address the protracted leadership crisis rocking the SDP.
The letter, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, was addressed to the FCT Commissioner of Police.
The memo, titled “Re: Request for names of the national executives of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)”, partly read:
“Your letter reference No SB/3380/FCT/VOL.3/11 dated 28th July 2025 on the above subject refers. Please find attached the list of the National Executive of the Social Democratic Party as requested.
“List of national officers elected at the Social Democratic Party national convention held at the International Conference Center on the 8th June 2022.”
It added: “The above subject matter refers. Having submitted the list of the elected National officers at our National Convention to the INEC officials that monitored our convention, we now write to formally forward the same to your office for perusal and record.”
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The attached list included: Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, National Chairman, Dr Olu Agunloye, National Secretary, Amb. Rufus B. Aiyenigba, National Publicity Secretary, Tohon Ogbonna Uchechukwu, National Speaker, Youth Parliament, Barr. Joseph Abu, National Organising Secretary, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi, National Speaker of Women, Hajiya Maggie M. Batubo, National Treasurer.
Others are: Dr. Aderemi Abimbo, National Legal Adviser, Chief Lekan Alabi, National Leader, PWD, Nze Clarkson Nnadi, National Auditor, Senator Mohammed Alkali, National Vice Chairman, North West, Fredrick E. Owotorufe, National Vice Chairman, South South, Sir Chief Arinze Ekelem, National Vice Chairman, South East, Hon. Abdullahi M. Kani, National Vice Chairman, North Central
Chief Silas Alani Itvedp, National Vice Chairman, South West
Obinna Bright Ekwebelem, South East Zone Secretary
Bassagi Gimba, North Central Zone Secretary
It concluded: “Accept the assurances of the Commission’s high regard.”
It will be recalled that a faction of the SDP suspended Gabam and two other members over alleged misconduct and appointed Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as Acting National Chairman.
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Another faction, loyal to former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, dissolved the Gombe and Agunloye-led National Working Committee (NWC) and appointed Comrade Abubakar Modido as Acting Chairman.
In response, the SDP disowned El-Rufai, stressing that he had been banned from the party for over 30 years.
The crisis prompted the FCT Police Command to formally request clarification from INEC to restore order.
Reacting, Gabam commended the Nigeria Police Force for seeking clarification from the electoral body rather than relying on “falsehood from desperate politicians” whom he accused of attempting to destroy the party for selfish reasons.
He warned those still parading themselves as NWC members outside the INEC-authenticated list to desist, saying security agencies would arrest and prosecute them for impersonation.
Gabam reaffirmed that under his leadership, the SDP remains committed to providing a platform for patriotic Nigerians to deliver good governance in 2027.