ABUJA (FN), Police sealed the national secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja on Thursday amid a deepening leadership crisis, forcing party officials and staff out of the building just days before its planned national convention. Armed officers led by FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi ordered staff and officials to vacate the premises in Wuse 2, citing the need to maintain public order. The operation came as rival factions clashed over control of the party. Suspended former chairman Shehu Musa Gabam reportedly entered the secretariat shortly after the police cleared it, while current chairman Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe accused Gabam of attempting to forcefully reclaim leadership.
The SDP had scheduled its national convention for May 9 in Bauchi State, and party leaders said they were finalizing arrangements when the police intervention occurred. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had invited the party to an Alternative Dispute Resolution meeting with Gabam’s faction, raising concerns among SDP officials about interference. Gabam’s supporters argue he remains the legitimate leader, while Gombe’s camp insists the party has complied with constitutional and electoral requirements.
National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba accused police of compromising neutrality, saying they “aided in breaking the law” by siding with Gabam. National Secretary Dr. Olu Agunloye described the incident as shocking, alleging thugs stormed the secretariat and security operatives used tear gas to disperse members. The presence of heavily armed officers caused anxiety among party members and passersby, though no major violence was reported.
The crisis threatens to destabilize SDP ahead of the 2027 general elections, where the party is screening presidential aspirants. With cases pending in court, the dispute underscores Nigeria’s broader challenges with internal party democracy. The turmoil also mirrors instability in other major parties, most notably the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which has faced its own leadership battles in recent years. Disputes between former national chairman Iyorchia Ayu and party governors, factional divisions over zoning of the presidential ticket, and defections of key figures to rival parties weakened PDP’s cohesion during the 2023 elections and continue to cast doubt on its ability to present a united front ahead of 2027.
Analysts say the recurring crises in both SDP and PDP highlight systemic issues in Nigerian politics, where factionalism, court battles, and security interventions often overshadow internal democracy and policy debates.
