The leadership crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party, SDP, worsened on Wednesday after the faction loyal to the reinstated national chairman, Shehu Gabam, announced the expulsion of 13 key party figures, including the party’s sole presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo.
The development unfolded during the party’s national convention and presidential primary held in Abuja.
At the occasion, delegates loyal to Gabam also adopted Lagos businessman, Abimbola Atanda, as the party’s new sole presidential candidate through a voice vote.
Those expelled alongside Adebayo include factional national chairman, Sadiq Gombe; national secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye; national publicity secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba; Joseph Abu; Maggie Batubo; Sa’adatu Abdullahi; Abimbola Aderemi; Oguchukwu Uba; Huseesini Bello; Alabi Lekan; Rosemary Effiong and Abubakar Modibo.
The convention also moved swiftly to dissolve the National Working Committee before electing a fresh set of national officers through a voice vote.
The newly inaugurated National Working Committee members include Gabam as National Chairman; Adebola Abbas as National Secretary; Ibrahim Biu as Deputy National Secretary; Dr Uchechukwu Chukwuma as National Organising Secretary; Muka’ila Mavo as National Legal Adviser; Zakari Nadabu as National Publicity Secretary; Hauwa Ahmed as National Woman Leader; Steven Otu as National Youth Leader; and Abubakar Isiaka as National Financial Secretary.
Announcing the decision, the party leadership said the affected members were sanctioned for allegedly undermining the party’s constitution and internal cohesion.
“These disciplinary measures were taken following findings that the affected individuals acted in ways inconsistent with the ideals, principles, and constitutional provisions of the party, thereby undermining party cohesion and discipline.
“I therefore urge this distinguished house/body to approve and ratify the suspension and expulsion accordingly,” the NEC announced.
Addressing journalists shortly after the oath-taking ceremony, Gabam declared that the crisis threatening the party had finally been overcome.
According to him, “We have come through a lot of challenges as a party. These challenges are all man-made. But we followed a good process. We were calm, steady and God, in His infinite mercy, has done the needful. We have bounced back and are fully operational.
“We have ensured that all the relevant organs that supervise our system and operation, including INEC, the judiciary and other institutions, were aware of some of the irregularities that took place. Being politicians trained in the art of leadership, we maintain decorum to protect the sanctity of this platform that we have invested our lives to build.
“We built a momentum to the point of fundamental trust, reliability, and a better objective in our assessment of every situation in the country. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise that we had to go through turbulence as a party. But many people don’t know that turbulence strengthens political parties.
“Any party without a crisis is a briefcase political platform. It is a crisis that strengthens a party to understand some of the gaps and how to strengthen them. You can see that we are stronger today and more viable.”
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