SDP Crisis Deepens as Gabam Faction Names Atanda Presidential Candidate

The internal crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) escalated on Saturday as the faction led by Shehu Gabam held a parallel national convention in Abuja, reaffirmed its leadership structure, and unveiled a new presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
At the convention, delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory adopted Abimbola Akeem Atanda through a voice vote, formally endorsing him as the faction’s presidential flagbearer ahead of 2027.
The gathering was presented by party leaders as a “repositioning convention,” aimed at restoring cohesion and strengthening the party’s electoral competitiveness after months of internal disputes.
In his acceptance speech, Atanda pledged to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, unemployment, and economic hardship, blaming weak governance and poor accountability for the country’s declining living standards.
He called for what he described as a “political reset,” anchored on transparency, inclusion, and performance-driven leadership, insisting that the 2027 elections must mark a turning point for national recovery.
However, the convention also witnessed a dramatic purge of senior party figures. The Gabam-led leadership announced the suspension and expulsion of several prominent members accused of anti-party activities and actions allegedly undermining party unity.
Among those affected were senior party figures including Adewole Adebayo and Dr. Olu Agunloye, alongside others, in what party officials described as a disciplinary move to enforce constitutional authority.
Party leadership defended the action, saying it was necessary to stabilise the SDP and prevent further breakdown of internal order ahead of the general elections.
The faction also reaffirmed Gabam’s position as national chairman, consolidating his control over the structure going into the 2027 election cycle.
Despite the sharp divisions, party leaders insisted the SDP remains committed to its founding ideals of social justice, accountability, and democratic governance, describing the convention outcome as a “reset rather than a rupture.”
The development highlights the widening leadership crisis within the SDP, coming amid competing conventions and rival claims to the party’s presidential ticket ahead of 2027.