Amid the expectations that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) would be a force to reckon with in the 2027 elections following the recent defection of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai, into its fold from the All Progressives Congress (APC), crisis is currently brewing in the party with insiders pointing accusing fingers at El-rufai, the National Chairman, Shehu Gabam; and the Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu.
The bone of contention is the recent filling of vacant positions in the NWC, which the El-fai, Gabam and their supporters appear not to be comfortable with.
After the NWC meeting of the party last Thursday, its National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, had issued a statement announcing the filling of the three vacant positions in the Committee in line with Article 12.5 of the party’s 2022 constitution as amended, and following the mandate given to it by the National Convention of the party.
According to the statement by Aiyenigba, the vacant positions filled were those of the Deputy National Chairman (South) with Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Deputy National Chairman (North) with Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar and National Financial Secretary with Mr. Hussani Ado Bello.
The statement indicated that the national chairman, Gabam, presided over the meeting, which was attended by 10 other members.
Acting on the resolutions at the meeting, Aiyenigba, in a letter dated May 16, 2025, had informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the appointments.
The letter, which was obtained by The Guardian, is titled ‘Notice of Appointment of Members of the NWC of the SDP’. A copy of it, which was received by INEC on May 19 and was duly acknowledged, read in part: “This is to officially inform you that NWC of the SDP met at the National Secretariat on Thursday, May 15, in a session attended by 11 out of the 12 existing members to appoint the remaining three members of the 15-member NWC as per Article 12.5 of the 2022 constitution of the SDP as amended and as per the mandate of the June 8, 2022, National Convention.
“The INEC Chairman is hereby formally informed that the NWC has appointed three persons into the NWC as per the provisions of the SDP constitution.”
The letter, which listed the names of the appointees, noted that “consequently, these appointments are for an initial period of four years or till the next National Convention, whichever comes first and is subject to satisfactory performance.”
Elated by the move, the leadership and members of the SDP State Chairmen’s Forum had congratulated the newly appointed NWC members, expressing appreciation to the party’s national chairman, national secretary, and all NWC members for their decision to strengthen the party by the latest nominations and approval.
In a statement by the Chairman of the Forum, Femi Olaninyi, the group described the move as a demonstration of the fact that the party was advancing.
“The Forum of Chairmen, under the leadership of Femi Olaniyi, reaffirms our support for our party’s leadership, guided by our dedicated national chairman. His wisdom, capability and selfless leadership have led him to scout exceptional individuals for key positions within the party across the Nigerian political landscape.
“May God grant you the wisdom to achieve even more for our great party. We pray that the newly appointed executive members will align themselves with the vision of our national chairman,” the statement added.
However, at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, Gabam debunked the story, stating that no new appointment was made into the SDP’s NWC.
Represented by the SDP’s Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu, he said: “The attention of the national leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been drawn to a number of misleading media reports, claiming that three new appointments have been made into the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
“The positions in question are deputy national chairman (North), deputy national chairman (South), and national financial secretary.
“These reports, attributed to the SDP’s national publicity secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, alleged that Senator Uba, Dr Abubakar, and Mr Bello had been appointed to the aforementioned roles respectively.
“We wish to categorically state that no such appointments have been made, and the press release in circulation is false, unauthorised, and does not reflect the decisions or procedures of the SDP’s National Working Committee.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the SDP NWC has not convened any constitutional session or meeting to fill vacant positions within the committee as reported.
“The National Executive remains committed to due process, internal democracy and the inclusive participation of stakeholders from all geopolitical zones in any future restructuring efforts.
“As the 2027 general elections approach, we are not unaware of the calculated attempts by certain individuals and political rivals to sow discord and weaken the only credible opposition party left standing in Nigeria.
“Let it be known that the SDP is focused, united and determined to rescue Nigeria through purposeful leadership and grassroots empowerment.
“If and when the time comes to strengthen the NWC or other critical party structures, such moves will be strategic, consultative and transparent, with all zones and relevant organs of the party carried along.
“The SDP’s national leadership is mindful of the anxiety and confusion these misleading publications may have caused among our members, supporters and the Nigerian public, many of whom see the SDP as the vehicle of hope and national redemption in 2027.
He urged Nigerians “to disregard the unauthorised reports and remain confident in the integrity and cohesion of the SDP’s leadership”, adding that “the alleged meeting of Thursday, May 15, 2025, cited in the reports, did not authorise any appointments, and no resolution of such nature was adopted.”
“As we build toward 2027, we call on all members to return to the grassroots sensitising and mobilising support across polling units, especially in some states where our electoral visibility must be significantly improved.
“Finally, we remind our members that the SDP is not a personal project but a national platform, driven by the ideals of inclusion, transparency and service. We remain resolute in our mission to deliver a better Nigeria for all and we will not be distracted by the propaganda or antics of those seeking to derail our progress,” he said.
Responding to The Guardian’s enquiry on the issue, a highly placed source in the party stated on the condition of anonymity that Gabam and his cohorts were instigating crisis because their preferred candidates did not emerge.
The source provided to The Guardian the attendance list at the meeting, which showed the names and signatures of the 11 members that attended the meeting.
In a terse WhatsApp message in defence of the appointments, the source said: “There were 12 NWC members in total but one was absent. Eight out of 11 NWC members present at the meeting voted in favour of appointments. Gabam and two others who lost out are throwing tantrums together with Nasir El-rufai who is a nobody at his ward.”
The intrigues surrounding the recent filling of the vacant politicians in the NWC of the party are no doubt a test on the ability of the party leadership to build cohesion. How the party goes about it will to some extent indicate whether it is indeed gearing up to achieve its dream of sending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu packing from Aso Rock in 2027 or not.
