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SDP Leadership Crisis Deepens Ahead of 2027 General Elections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) appears to be grappling with internal crises ahead of the 2027 general elections, with members accusing the party leadership of fueling the crisis for personal interests. The party's National Working Committee (NWC) recently made appointments to fill three vacant positions, but the leadership has refuted the claims, stating that no new appointments were made. The situation has led to calls for investigations and decisive action from party members and leaders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SDP's National Working Committee (NWC) has made appointments to fill three vacant positions, including Deputy National Chairman (South), Deputy National Chairman (North), and National Financial Secretary.
  • The party's leadership, led by Shehu Gabam, has refuted the claims, stating that no new appointments were made and that the press release announcing the appointments was false and unauthorized.
  • The SDP Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu, represented Gabam at a press briefing, saying that the party NWC has not convened any constitutional session or meeting to fill vacant positions within the committee.
  • The National Secretary of the party, Dr. Olu Agunloye, has informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the appointments of new NWC members in a letter dated May 16, 2025.
  • Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed expectations that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will infiltrate the SDP and create a crisis, just as it allegedly did with the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
  • The SDP has the potential to fill the void left by the APC and PDP as a credible alternative, with many Nigerians losing faith in the two dominant parties.

Statistics:

  • 15 members of the SDP NWC are required to make appointments following Article 12.5 of the 2022 Constitution (as amended).
  • 11 of the 12 existing members attended the NWC meeting on Thursday, 15 May 2025, to appoint three new members.
  • The appointments of Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman (North), and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello, National Financial Secretary, are for an initial period of 4 years or until the next National Convention.

Sources:

  • "SDP Leaders Accuse National Chairman of fueling internal crisis" (Source: Vanguard Nigeria, 15 May 2025)
  • "National Secretary Reaffirms Support for Party Leadership" (Source: Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, 15 May 2025)
  • "Gabam: No New Appointments Were Made to SDP's NWC" (Source: Vanguard Nigeria, 15 May 2025)
  • "INEC Informed of SDP's New NWC Members" (Source: Dr. Olu Agunloye, 16 May 2025)
  • "El-Rufai: APC Will Infiltrate SDP and Create a Crisis" (Source: Vanguard Nigeria, 17 May 2025)

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