Crisis rocks SDP as leadership splits over controversial appointments

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), long touting itself as the only crisis-free opposition party in Nigeria, is now embroiled in a deepening internal conflict following the controversial appointment of three new members to its National Working Committee (NWC).

The appointments, which were announced last week by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, have sparked a major leadership tussle, exposing fractures at the top echelon of the party.

According to Aiyenigba, the NWC had filled the vacant positions of Deputy National Chairman (South), Deputy National Chairman (North), and National Financial Secretary with Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello respectively.

The appointments, he claimed, were made in line with Article 12.5 of the SDP’s 2022 constitution (as amended), and with the mandate of the party’s National Convention.

The move, initially viewed by political analysts as a strategic step toward consolidating the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections, has instead triggered a political firestorm.

In a dramatic twist, the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam—who allegedly presided over the said NWC meeting—issued a rebuttal, denying that any such appointments were made.

Speaking through the Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Gabam dismissed the earlier announcement as “false, unauthorized, and misleading.”

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“The NWC has not convened any constitutional session or meeting to fill vacant positions as reported,” he said, adding that the reports did not reflect the decisions or procedures of the NWC.

He accused political rivals and internal actors of attempting to destabilize the party in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

As the controversy unfolded, the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, stepped in to clarify the situation, countering Gabam’s denial.

In a bold statement, Agunloye confirmed that the appointments were indeed made during a properly convened NWC meeting on May 15, 2025, with 11 out of 12 NWC members in attendance.

He revealed that eight members voted in favor of the appointments, while three, including Gabam, opposed.

Agunloye further alleged that the crisis was being orchestrated by Gabam and his allies, including former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who recently joined the SDP from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He accused the trio of attempting to override the collective decision of the majority with their “selfish interests.”

“There were 12 NWC members in total but one was absent. Eight out of 11 present voted in favour of the appointments,” Agunloye stated. “Gabam and two others who lost out are throwing tantrums, together with Nasir El-Rufai, who amounts to nothing at his ward.”

To affirm the legitimacy of the appointments, Agunloye has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a letter dated May 16, 2025, he informed INEC that the appointments were made in accordance with the party’s constitution and were effective for four years or until the next National Convention.

With conflicting statements from key leaders and allegations of internal sabotage, the SDP appears to be sliding into the same crisis-ridden territory that has plagued other major opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.

The coming weeks will be critical for the SDP as it navigates this internal strife and attempts to reconcile its divided leadership—if it hopes to remain a credible force ahead of the 2027 polls.