ABUJA, Nigeria – Police summoned members of the Social Democratic Party National Working Committee on Saturday, May 23, 2026, regarding an alleged attempt to take over the party’s national headquarters.
Okay News reports that Social Democratic Party National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, confirmed he was informed of the police invitation affecting all committee members. Gombe stated he had not personally received a formal notice.
Gombe said the party had previously petitioned Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police to investigate the expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, for alleged financial crimes totaling N626m ($417,333). The petition was directed to the former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Sadiq.
“The police don’t even need to invite us. When this thing happened, we wrote a letter to the Inspector-General of Police. We asked him to investigate the fraudulent and financial crimes against the expelled national chairman to the tune of N626m. The IG minuted to his former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Sadiq,” Gombe said.
“We were there following the matter for three months. They could not prosecute or investigate Gabam. Then we had to write another letter to the IG as a reminder on our petition against the expelled national chairman. The IG wrote again to the DIG and asked him to continue with the investigation,” Gombe said.
Gombe stated that a disciplinary committee chaired by Sadiq Lima convened for 14 days to review the internal disputes. Gabam and the national youth leader refused to appear before the committee, leading a white paper committee to recommend their expulsion.
“The committee sat for 14 days in our national headquarters. Unfortunately, Gabam and the national youth leader felt they are above the law, constitution of the party, and the electorate. They refused to appear before the disciplinary committee set up to give them a fair hearing and clear their names. But they refused,” Gombe said.
Gabam entered the secretariat with armed policemen two weeks prior to the police invitation to claim control of the party structure. Gabam, alongside Uchechukwu and National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi, were expelled from the party in October 2025 over allegations of financial impropriety.
