Leadership Tussle Erupts in SDP Over Controversial NWC Appointments

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is once again entangled in a fresh leadership crisis following contradictory announcements regarding key appointments into its National Working Committee (NWC). The internal conflict, which has cast a shadow over the party’s unity, comes just as political parties begin positioning for the 2027 general elections.

The crisis erupted after the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, issued a statement announcing the appointment of Senator Ugochukwu Uba as Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar as Deputy National Chairman (North), and Mr. Hussaini Ado Bello as National Financial Secretary.

The announcement, which was expected to signal renewed cohesion and strategic planning within the party, instead drew swift and sharp rejection from the SDP National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam. Speaking through the Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu, Gabam dismissed the appointments as “false, unauthorized, and misleading.”

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No Constitutional Backing for Appointments — Gabam

At a press briefing held in Abuja, Biu asserted that no meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) or other constitutionally recognized body had approved such appointments. “There was no resolution or official approval for the purported appointments. The alleged meeting of May 15 did not authorize any changes to the NWC,” he said.

Biu emphasized that the SDP has clear processes for ratifying appointments and insisted that due process must be followed. He accused unnamed individuals within the party of attempting to destabilize its leadership, describing the development as “a calculated attempt to sow discord within the party and weaken the only credible opposition party left standing.”

He further urged party members and the public to disregard the appointment announcements, reiterating that any legitimate decisions regarding the party’s leadership would be made through formal and transparent mechanisms.

House Caucus to Investigate, Warns of Sanctions

Amid the confusion, the Chairman of the SDP Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Jonathan Gazah, weighed in, promising that the party would launch an investigation into the source of the controversial press release. He assured that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against those found guilty of undermining the party’s structure.

Gazah expressed disappointment that such internal distractions were being stirred at a time when the party should be uniting ahead of the 2027 elections. “Our focus should be on strengthening our grassroots base and preparing our strategy for the next electoral cycle,” he said.

Calls for Unity and Democratic Discipline

Hon. Gazah emphasized the need for discipline and respect for internal party mechanisms. He reaffirmed the SDP’s commitment to internal democracy, stating that the party must remain united to play its role as a credible opposition force in Nigeria’s political landscape.

“Inclusiveness and transparency are non-negotiable pillars of our party. This kind of disinformation only serves to undermine our shared goals,” he added.

Party insiders suggest that the crisis may be linked to growing tensions over control of the party structure ahead of 2027, with various factions seeking to install loyalists into key leadership positions. The controversy over the NWC appointments appears to be an early indication of a broader power struggle within the party.

A Pattern of Factionalism?

This is not the first time the SDP has experienced internal conflict. In previous election cycles, the party was marred by leadership disputes that weakened its performance at the polls. Observers warn that a failure to resolve the current rift could once again derail the party’s electoral ambitions.

With the 2027 general elections just two years away, political analysts argue that parties must demonstrate stability and organizational discipline to gain the trust of voters. For the SDP, seen by many as one of the few credible alternatives in Nigeria’s political space, the current leadership crisis threatens to erode the gains it has made in recent years.

As the dust settles, all eyes are on the party’s leadership to see how it navigates the internal storm. Will the SDP come out stronger with reasserted leadership and unity? Or will this crisis deepen existing fault lines and affect its chances in 2027?

The outcome will largely depend on how quickly and transparently the party addresses the controversy, affirms its internal democratic processes, and refocuses on its broader political agenda.