The Forum of State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has hailed the expulsion of former National Chairman Shehu Gabam and former Youth Speaker Ogbonna Uchechukwu, describing it as a long-overdue step toward restoring discipline and credibility in the party.
Forum Chairman, Mr. Femi Olaniyi, said at a press briefing in Abuja that the move marked “a corrective milestone” after years of alleged abuse of office and financial impropriety that dented the party’s image.
“These decisive sanctions address years of betrayal and embezzlement that have damaged the party’s integrity,” he said, commending the National Working Committee (NWC) for ensuring due process and transparency in the disciplinary process.
The Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Sadia Liman, was said to have conducted an inclusive and credible process, culminating in a White Paper vetted by the NWC.
The Forum urged anti-graft agencies to recover about ₦1 billion allegedly misappropriated during Gabam’s tenure and warned that legal action may follow if recovery fails.
Vowing to rebuild the party on its founding ideals, the chairmen called for the immediate constitution of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and mass mobilisation of principled politicians nationwide.
“Never again shall unworthy individuals cast a shadow over the hallowed office once held by statesmen like Kingibe, Falae, and Adeniran,” the Forum declared, reaffirming confidence in Acting National Chairman Prof. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe and National Secretary Dr. Olu Agunloye.
“The SDP will continue to stand for social justice and good governance. Democracy is too important to be left in the hands of the corrupt,” the statement concluded.