The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared that its decision to prosecute its expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, and other former officials over alleged financial misconduct is intended to send a clear message to Nigerians that an SDP-led Federal Government in 2027 would not tolerate corruption or political impunity, regardless of who is involved.
In what appeared to be a direct criticism of Nigeria’s prevailing political culture, the party said it was deliberately refusing to sweep allegations of financial impropriety under the carpet, insisting that accountability must begin within political parties before they can credibly seek to govern the country.
Addressing journalists at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, said the prosecution of the expelled officials was designed to demonstrate the kind of governance Nigerians should expect if the party wins power in the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the era where politicians facing allegations of corruption simply defect to the ruling party and watch investigations disappear must come to an end.
Gombe said the SDP was determined to establish a new political culture where no individual would enjoy immunity from accountability because of political influence or party affiliation.
“We believed that if we are preparing to take over government, we have to be fair to ourselves, fair to Nigerians and accountable before God Almighty,” he said.
He explained that after the party expelled its former National Chairman and former National Youth Leader for alleged breaches of the party’s constitution and other infractions, the leadership deliberately chose not to stop at internal disciplinary measures.
Instead, he said, the matter was handed over to law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation and prosecution.
“After the expulsion of the former National Chairman and the former National Youth Leader, we did not stop there. We subjected them to scrutiny and prosecution over the criminal activities they were alleged to have been involved in,” Gombe stated.
The SDP chairman said the affected officials are currently facing criminal prosecution and vowed that the party would pursue the matter until every legal process is concluded.
He argued that political office should never become a sanctuary against criminal investigation.
Without mentioning the All Progressives Congress (APC) by name, Gombe took a swipe at what he described as a growing national culture where politicians accused of corruption suddenly become untouchable after aligning with the ruling establishment.
“People are caught red-handed in breaches of the law, misappropriation and other offences, yet once they join the ruling party, everything dies there. We are saying that cannot be the way to build a nation,” he declared.
He insisted that the SDP would never operate such a system.
“We are ready to reset this country with an SDP government in 2027 that will be responsive, accountable and transparent. Corruption and bad leadership have become the bane of our society. We are determined to change that.”
Gombe disclosed that following internal investigations, the party petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies over the alleged diversion of about ₦626 million, after obtaining financial records through legal processes.
According to him, the documents revealed transactions the party considered disturbing and inconsistent with prudent financial management.
“We are not going to leave any stone unturned until there are consequences for every action. Accountability must begin from within the political party before it can extend to government.”
He maintained that Nigeria’s governance crisis begins with political parties that fail to discipline their own members, arguing that credible governments cannot emerge from organisations unwilling to enforce internal accountability.
“Political parties must first cleanse themselves before they can present credible candidates to Nigerians. The SDP is determined to provide Nigerians with credible leadership through transparent, free and fair internal democratic processes.”
The SDP chairman also claimed members of the party’s National Working Committee rejected attempts to induce them financially in order to fracture the leadership.
“If I had accepted ₦500 million or even ₦1 billion, perhaps I would have retired comfortably. If members of the National Working Committee had accepted such inducements, the party would have been divided. But they remained resolute and committed.”
He described the refusal of the party leadership to compromise as evidence that the SDP possesses the discipline required to govern differently.
“All these members of the National Working Committee have remained together since 2022. They remained committed to the party and to Nigeria. They have the patriotism and commitment required for the rescue mission of our dear country.”
Beyond the accountability campaign, Gombe said the party had substantially complied with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable for the 2027 elections.
He noted that the SDP became the first political party to conduct its national convention for the 2027 electoral cycle, successfully held primaries nationwide and has continued uploading candidates for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
He further maintained that the party’s current leadership remains the only authentic leadership recognised by both the Supreme Court and INEC, insisting that all disputes over the party’s leadership had been resolved through lawful processes.
Reaffirming the SDP’s readiness for the 2027 elections, Gombe said the party intends to distinguish itself by placing integrity above political expediency.
“We are ready to provide Nigerians with the credible alternative they are yearning for in 2027. We have presented candidates with competence, character, capacity, patriotism and the fear of God.”
He concluded that the party’s handling of its internal crisis should convince Nigerians that an SDP government would not protect any official accused of wrongdoing.
“If we cannot hold ourselves accountable as a political party, we have no moral right to ask Nigerians to trust us with power. That is why we are doing what we are doing today. The Nigeria we seek to build must be founded on justice, transparency and accountability.”