The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has made shocking revelations about attempts on his life and a coordinated plot to hijack the party. Speaking from his office in Abuja, Gabam told journalists that the SDP has come under serious attack from forces seeking to destabilize it and force it into a coalition agreement it never consented to.
“Twice, men with AK-47 rifles stormed our secretariat under false pretenses. They could have killed me,” Gabam said in a tense press briefing, flanked by some state chairmen and members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
According to him, the first attack happened on April 11, and the second on April 29, 2025. Both times, armed men claimed they were deployed to cover a party event. Gabam said there was no such event scheduled and that the security agencies later confirmed the attackers were not officially sent.
No to Forced Coalition: “SDP Is Not for Sale”
Amid rumors that the SDP is entering a political coalition ahead of 2027, Gabam made it clear:
“We are not in any forced coalition talks. We were never bought. We will not mortgage the future of this party.”
He stressed that SDP will only entertain voluntary mergers or collaborations, but will not accept being dictated to by non-members. Gabam confirmed that while some party members attended coalition meetings, they did so in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the SDP.
“No one was authorized to negotiate on our behalf. SDP is not a market party for sale,” he added.
Gabam dismissed social media reports of his suspension as false and politically motivated.
“There was no NWC meeting to suspend me. I am addressing you from the chairman’s office. That alone proves the reports are fake.”
He accused some party officials of forging signatures and submitting unauthorized documents to INEC in a bid to create confusion. INEC itself, he said, had flagged and rejected such correspondence for lacking the required joint signature of both the national chairman and national secretary.
Responding to corruption allegations, Gabam said the SDP remains financially transparent and above board.
“Every kobo spent has been audited by internal and external auditors. We have even published our financial records in national newspapers as required by law.”
He noted that SDP generates income only from legitimate sources — membership cards, nomination forms, and public donations — not shady deals or business transactions.
Gabam revealed that SDP’s NWC members are not on salary, but receive occasional sitting allowances and welfare support during personal events like weddings or funerals.
“We’ve built this party with sweat and sacrifice. We are not like others who rely on government funds or political trading,” he declared.
The SDP chairman also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to protect democratic institutions and stop the harassment of opposition parties.
“We chose democracy over dictatorship. The presidency must not allow elements within or around it to suffocate democratic parties,” Gabam warned.
He emphasized that SDP is not against the government but will continue to speak on policies when necessary — in line with democratic rights.
Asked if the party would punish those pushing the chairman’s alleged suspension, Gabam said the matter would be addressed at the next NEC meeting. For now, the party remains focused on peace and stability.
“We are not here to haunt anyone. But records will be reviewed. We believe in discipline, but we’re also mature.”
Despite threats, fake news, internal betrayal, and alleged assassination attempts, Shehu Gabam says SDP is unshaken, united, and ready for 2027.
With growing presence in over 12 states and elected officials across Nigeria, the party says “no amount of pressure will destroy what we’ve built.”
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