The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gabam

  • SDP State chairmen drag Gabam to EFCC, Police over alleged embezzlement

    SDP State chairmen drag Gabam to EFCC, Police over alleged embezzlement

    The travail of the former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party  (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam seems to be unending as the Forum of State Chairmen of the party called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force to urgently investigate and recover nearly ₦1 billion allegedly misappropriated under his watch 

    The  Chairman of the Forum and the Lagos helsman of the party, Femi Olaniyi (Ferrari), made the call at a press conference at party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    Olaniyi said the decision to invite the anti graft agency was reached at a crucial meeting attended by 31 state chairmen. 

    He alleged that the misappropriated funds, which rightly belonged to state chapters, were diverted through fraudulent practices, extortion, and gross abuse of office.

    According to him: “Seventy-five percent of the embezzled funds belong to the states as stipulated by our constitution. We need our money back and can not forgo it. We are calling on the EFCC and the Police to investigate, prosecute, and recover these stolen resources.”

    The. Forum commended the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for the final expulsion and dismissal of the former chairman, describing the move as a “long overdue corrective surgery” necessary to restore discipline, integrity, and credibility to the party.

    “These decisive yet fair and just sanctions of removal from office, immediate and final dismissal from the SDP, and expulsion from party membership have been long overdue. We appreciate the leadership’s courage to take this action,” he added.

    The chairmen described Gabam’s expulsion as “a new dawn” for the party, saying it signals a return to accountability and purpose-driven politics.

    “This is a cleansing process to restore the soul of our great party. We are committed to serving Nigeria with honesty and loyalty. Democracy is too important to be left in the hands of the criminally minded,” the Forum concluded.

    The forum also applauded the Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Sadia Liman-led Disciplinary Committee for conducting a transparent investigation that afforded all accused persons the opportunity to defend themselves before a comprehensive White Paper was issued.

    He also revealed that the Forum had representation on the committee through Dr. Kingsley Agbo, the SDP Chairman in Ebonyi State, alongside delegates from the youth and women wings of the party.

    The Forum accused Gabam of “commercialising the office of the National Chairman,” saying his alleged misconduct had caused “enormous damage” to the image of the SDP both nationally and internationally

    “Never again shall such an unworthy and untested character as Shehu Gabam be allowed to cast his unstable shadow on the office of National Chairman, once occupied by national icons such as Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Oba Olu Falae, Professor Tunde Adeniran, and Dr. Olu Agunloye,” Olaniyi declared.

    Affirming the Forum’s unwavering support for the ongoing reforms and renewed commitment to credible leadership, Olaniyi expressed their confidence in the new Acting National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, and National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye.

    “We confirm our vote of confidence in the entire NWC. Let us serve the Nigerian people and retire selfish interests once and for all,” Olaniyi said.

    The state chairmen further called for the immediate constitution of the Board of Trustees (BoT) to enhance transparency, ensure internal checks, and strengthen the leadership structure of the SDP.

    They dismissed claims that the SDP was shutting its doors to new members, insisting that the party remains open to all Nigerians committed to genuine democracy, transparency, and service.

    “The impression that the SDP is unwilling to accommodate new members is false. What we advocate is openness and sincerity, not hijack or manipulation for selfish purposes,” the Forum clarified.

  • One-party controversy: Ganduje, Damagum, Gabam clash

    One-party controversy: Ganduje, Damagum, Gabam clash

    • PDP, SDP chairmen, LP tackle APC chair

    The one-party state controversy, which arose after a spate of defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the tsunami in Delta State, deepened at the weekend.

    Many commentators and opposition figures have accused the APC of plotting a one-party state by wooing and winning over opposition political office holders – governors, federal and state lawmakers.

    But the APC has consistently said those joining it are doing so willingly, having been attracted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s performance and plans for the country.

    The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, chided those accusing the ruling party of plotting to push the country into a one-party system.

    Ganduje, a former Kano State governor, said: “A one-party state is not by force. It’s by negotiation. It’s because other political parties see the effect of the positive governance of our party.

    “If they decide to come to our party, willingly, I think there is nothing wrong with that.

    “Today, democratic China is one of the strongest countries in the world, and it’s a one-party system.

    “We are not saying we are working for a one-party system, but if this is the wish of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that.

    “You know they say too many cooks spoil the soup, too many political parties spoil governance.”

    Ganduje spoke at Aso Villa when he led the three Kebbi State senators – Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) – all elected on the PDP platform, to meet with President Tinubu for final negotiation ahead of their defection this week to the ruling party.

    But PDP National Chairman Umar Ilya Damagum and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Shehu Musa Gabam lashed out at Ganduje on his position.

    READ ALSO: Corruption and failed refineries

    Damgum described the idea of a single-party state as “madness”.

    He said: “One-party system can only happen somewhere else, not in this country.

    “Recall what history says about anybody wishing for a one-party state. Where will such people end?”

    Gabam said: “The PDP, the party in power before the emergence of APC, passed through that route some time ago, deluding themselves that they would be in control of levers of power forever, but that fell on their faces.

    “It is Nigerians who are in the best position to tell if their lives have changed for the better or that they have been impacted positively under the APC.

    “The motivation of the ongoing gale of defections, particularly by some governors and elected political office holders, is not altruistic.

    “It is self-serving and undeniably done for self-preservation. 

    “Nigerians are in agreement that the power of choice through democratic options that multi-party democracy offers is one that cannot and should not be compromised.

    “A one-party system breeds authoritarian rule and erodes the freedom of the electorate.

    “It is not debatable that Nigeria needs a strong opposition for democratic consolidation.”

    Gabam spoke through the National Publicity Secretary of SDP, Rufus Aiyenigba.

    The Labour Party, which criticised the ruling class for being selfish, said self-interest is behind defections to the ruling party.

    Publicity Secretary of the Julius Abure faction, Obiora Ifoh, who spoke on behalf of the party, said Nigerians would not support a one-party state.

    He said: “One-party system is undemocratic and it breeds tyranny. Nigerians will not be pushed into that political system.

    “However, it must be said that many political parties are in crisis today because some leaders of those parties are not willing to subject themselves to party supremacy.

    “As such, political office holders use the inherent confusion in these parties to jump over to the ruling party, hoping to have easy access to political relevance and the cover provided by the ruling party.

    “Is it not absurd that a governor of an opposition party cannot even critique constructively or even appraise the ruling party in the face of the myriad economic challenges in the country today?

    “Or how do you explain how another opposition governor, barely two years into a government, is now campaigning for a president from another party against his own party?

    “The political class is so selfish that what counts for them is survival first, and they can do everything to ensure that they hold onto power, including betraying the party that sponsored them to the office.”