Sadiq Gombe, the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of meddling in the party’s internal affairs in an effort to create a leadership crisis. Gombe made the allegation during a briefing at the party’s secretariat on Thursday.
According to Media Talk Africa, former SDP chairman Shehu Musa Gabam allegedly led a group of thugs who disrupted party activities before police intervened. In response, Gombe defended the suspension and expulsion of officials aligned with Gabam, saying the actions were taken in accordance with the SDP constitution. The officials were accused of misconduct, financial irregularities and violations of party rules.
Gombe said a five‑member committee chaired by Air Vice Marshal Bakir Sadiq Gilmour was formed to investigate the allegations. “All those concerned were formally invited to appear before the committee to defend themselves,” he stated. He added that Gabam failed to attend the hearing, preventing a settlement of the internal dispute.
The committee met daily for two weeks at the national secretariat. After reviewing its report, the National Working Committee (NWC) set up a white‑paper committee, which recommended the expulsion of the implicated members from the party.
“The surprise for us is that, on the eve of our convention, INEC invited us to an alternative dispute‑resolution process when we are unaware of any dispute,” Gombe said. He asserted that political parties have constitutional authority to manage their own affairs and accused INEC of attempting to impose leadership on the SDP.
“We are Nigerians, law‑abiding citizens. No one will intimidate us in our own country. We will proceed with our convention in Bauchi,” he concluded.
The dispute highlights tensions between political parties and the electoral commission ahead of upcoming elections, with the SDP’s scheduled convention expected to test the party’s internal cohesion and its relationship with INEC.
