The leadership crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) escalated on Monday as the party’s National Chairman, Professor Sodiq Abubakar Gombe, said crucial documents had been tendered before a Magistrate Court in Abuja in the ongoing alleged misappropriation case against former party chairman, Shehu Gabam.
The case, marked DCC/10/2026 and heard at the Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Federal Capital Territory, was adjourned to June 17, 2026, following proceedings before Chief Magistrate Amauche Onyedium.
Gombe, who appeared in court as a witness, told journalists after the session that the party presented documentary evidence relating to the allegations against Gabam, including reports of internal investigations and financial records.
According to him, the exhibits tendered before the court included the report of the SDP disciplinary committee, invitation letters allegedly sent to the accused during the investigation process, and certified documents linked to transactions involving party funds.
“We presented relevant documents before the court, including reports of the disciplinary committee that investigated the matter, letters of invitation issued during the process, and financial-related documents,” Gombe said.
He further alleged that some of the documents were connected to companies through which party funds were allegedly moved during Gabam’s tenure as national chairman.
The SDP chairman expressed confidence in the court process, stating that he believed justice would prevail in the matter.
He also maintained that Gabam remains expelled from the party following resolutions reached through the party’s internal disciplinary mechanisms.
Despite the tension surrounding the case, Gombe disclosed that the magistrate advised both parties to consider the possibility of reconciliation and an out-of-court settlement.
The case is the latest chapter in the prolonged power struggle within the SDP, which has pitched rival factions loyal to Gombe and Gabam against each other over the control and direction of the opposition party.
Gabam was arraigned on May 12, 2026, over allegations relating to the handling of party funds during his leadership between 2022 and 2023.
Meanwhile, the SDP convention held in Bauchi on May 9 ratified Gombe as the party’s national chairman, a development that further strengthened his faction’s claim to the leadership of the party.
The court is expected to continue hearing in the matter on June 17.