The crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) deepened on Friday as its National Executive Committee (NEC) announced the dissolution of the Shehu Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC), citing unresolved leadership disputes and worsening internal divisions.
The decision was reached at an emergency NEC meeting held in Abuja and presided over by the party’s National Financial Secretary, Ibrahim Biu.
“The NWC, by this resolution, stands dissolved,” Biu declared while reading out the new interim leadership structure. “We hereby nominate the following persons to take charge of the affairs of our great party and move it forward.”
Among those named to the interim team are Adamu Modibo as acting National Chairman, Abubakar Dogara (Deputy Chairman), Ekpeyong Ambo (Secretary), and Chief Solsuema Osaro (Legal Adviser). Others appointed include Judith Shuaibu (Publicity Secretary), Eluwa Ifeanyi (National Youth Speaker), and Biu himself retaining the post of Financial Secretary.
Explaining the decision, Biu said the NEC had exhausted all attempts to reconcile the feuding factions but the crisis continued to damage the party’s public image and political prospects.
“For months, our party has been dragged into avoidable chaos,” Biu told journalists after the meeting. “A faction loyal to the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, suspended the National Chairman over alleged financial misconduct. That move was rejected, and the crisis escalated into a full-blown standoff.”
The confrontation recently turned physical, prompting the intervention of security agencies at the party’s national secretariat.
According to Biu, “We’ve spent years building this party, and we can’t allow selfish leadership battles to tear it down. The NEC has taken responsibility to restore order and confidence among our members nationwide.”
The NEC also used the occasion to formally withdraw the SDP from ongoing coalition efforts involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition groups ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The SDP is not part of any coalition,” said Deputy Chairman Abubakar Dogara. “While initial talks were held, our stakeholders resolved that the party must retain its identity and contest the 2027 elections independently.”
Dogara added that the SDP remains active in by-elections across 12 states and is focused on fielding its own presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
However, the suspended National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, has rejected the NEC’s actions, describing them as illegal and orchestrated by rival factions.
“The NWC has passed a resolution dissociating itself from the so-called NEC meeting in Abuja,” Agunloye said in a statement issued Friday evening. “This action has no legal standing. Thirteen state chairmen have already submitted sworn affidavits to INEC distancing themselves from the Modibo-led group and challenging the authenticity of their signatures.”
He also warned SDP members not to fall for what he called a “trap” that could lead to sanctions under the party’s constitution.
