NEWS
SDP crisis: Gabam denies suspension, accuses opposition coalition
Alhaji Shehu Gabam, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has claimed that the ongoing crisis within the party is being masterminded by an opposition coalition seeking to take control of the party’s structure.
Gabam made the statement in response to his alleged suspension by a faction of the party on Tuesday.
In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Rufus Ayegbeni, announced the suspension of Gabam along with two other NEC members over accusations of financial mismanagement.
However, Gabam dismissed the suspension as “fake news” and a result of political mischief during his address to journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
He maintained that he is still the legitimate chairman of the party.
Speaking alongside several members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Gabam urged the public to ignore the alleged suspension.
“I remain the national chairman of the SDP as you can see.
“Some of us understand where it is coming from, because this coalition and some of the people in the coalition who believe that at all costs, they either get SDP or create confusion around SDP.
“So many forces from so many fronts see SDP as very deadly or very strong that they cannot maneuver over.
“We have been waiting for them to expose all their game plan, before we respond to it. Happily enough, they have officially exposed themselves today.
“I am sure Nigerians will get to know them, who are anti-democratic forces, who are conniving to disrupt political institutions, for whatever motivation. But I want to assure you that we are on,” he said.
He stated that no official meeting of the NWC was held to decide on his suspension and questioned the origin of the statement announcing the alleged suspension.
He recalled that a private law firm had previously contacted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), informing it of an NWC meeting through a notice signed by the National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye.
He stated that the commission rejected the letter because it was not co-signed by him as the party’s national chairman.
“They used a legal firm, to communicate to the INEC which is a complete violation of the process of political party in terms of communication with INEC.
“If you look at the INEC letters, it specifies that any decision has to be jointly signed by the national chairman and national secretary.
“My signature is an authority signature. By our constitution, the national chairman is the national leader of the party and Chief executive of the party.
“INEC tagged the request by the party’s national secretary to hold the NWC meeting as illegal, since the letter was not signed by me,” he said.
On the alleged financial misappropriation against him, Gabam described it as false, saying he has nothing to hide.
He pointed out that his accusers were the ones issuing memos and emphasized that their names appear in the party’s account statements.
“I’m sure by the time we submit the complete printout of our account from the banks to the security agencies, they will see everything.
“They will see everyone that money has gone into his account. Everyone. All the NWC members. It has not excluded anybody.
“ He was once the chairman of the party. He should have also accounted for his own tenure when he was chairman of the party. I’m ready to account for my tenure any minute, any time,” he added.
He accused the newly formed coalition, involving certain individuals and some national party officials, of being behind the recent crisis in the party due to their failed attempt to hijack its structure.
“I think we had this crisis before. It is now rearing its head.
Gabam, however, called on President Bola Tinubu to call in the country’s security agencies, warning against their potential use by politicians to undermine democracy.
“They are not doing disservice to me. They are not doing disservice to this party. It’s a disservice to the country,” he said.
Aiyenigba in his statement had said that the decision to suspend Gabam and other implicated NWC members was to allow for a thorough, investigation.
He added that, for the time being, the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, has been instructed to take over the leadership of the party until the investigations are concluded.
As Nigerian leaders continue to mourn the late President Muhammadu Buhari, many celebrities have also reacted to the news.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past president, died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after a prolonged illness.
Following the sad news, the Nigerian government declared seven days of mourning to honour the deceased’s legacy.
The declaration of mourning by the Federal Government sparked controversial tributes from Nigerians, including celebrities.
Reacting to the development, singer Eedris Abdulkareem attributed the negative comments against the late president to the consequences of his actions while alive.
“Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun,” he wrote.
Also reacting to Buhari’s passing, celebrated Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Igboho, in a video shared on his Facebook page, stated, “The man that sent DSS to come and kill me in the middle of the night on July 4th 2021 has died today.”
Big Brother Naija reality show star Tacha berated Buhari’s critics on the X platform, noting that criticism cannot erase Buhari’s name from Nigeria’s history.
She wrote, “No matter your views, Muhammadu Buhari was a major part of Nigeria’s story. RIP.”
Actress Kate Henshaw, in a post on X, noted that life is vanity.
She wrote, “Nothing dey this life.”
Former Big Brother Naija housemate and actor Pere Egbi stated that the pain left behind by Buhari resulted in “bitterness and hate.”
While advising President Bola Tinubu to learn from Buhari’s administration, Pere urged him to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
“May his soul rest in peace until resurrection morning. President Tinubu, as you reflect on your predecessor’s legacy, I appeal to your conscience: Nigeria is hurting. Millions are broken. Many have lost faith in political leaders because the pain left behind has fermented into bitterness and hate,” he stated.
Singer Portable, in a video on Instagram, said, “Make sure you do good. It’s Buhari that offends us, not Tinubu. Buhari died in London. May God rest his soul.”
Legendary fuji musician KWAM 1 sang Buhari’s praises in a video shared on his Instagram page and wished him “sleep well.”
The naira appreciated significantly against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange market, beginning the week on a positive note ahead of Tuesday’s public holiday in honour of the late Nigerian former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Exchange data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the naira strengthened to N1,518.89 against the dollar on Monday, up from N1,530.26 traded at the close of business last Friday.
This means the naira firmed up substantially by N11.37 against the dollar compared to the N1,530.26 rate on Friday.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that, for the first time since last week, the naira is recording this margin of gain at the official market in a single day.
Meanwhile, the naira remained stable at the parallel (black) market on Monday, closing at N1,550 per dollar, the same rate as recorded last week.
The appreciation on the official market comes as the Nigerian government, through the National Bureau of Statistics, is expected to release the country’s inflation rate on Tuesday.
Earlier, the Central Bank of Nigeria fixed its Monetary Policy Committee meeting to decide on Nigeria’s interest rate for July 21 and 22, 2025.
NEWS
Buhari: ‘Show empathy If you want sympathy in death’ – Eedris Abdulkareem tells Nigerian leaders
Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has stated that Nigerian leaders must share in the feelings of citizens if they want the public to sympathise with them in death.
The singer made this statement following the mixed reactions trailing the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that Buhari died on Sunday afternoon at a UK clinic after an alleged battle with leukaemia.
While his political allies are paying tribute to him, many Nigerians have been criticising and accusing him of various failings.
Addressing citizens in a post on his social media page, former senator, Shehu Sani, pleaded with the public to forgive Buhari his imperfections.
“A living man is still on trial and cannot judge the dead. Let the sleeping soul rest,” Sani said.
Reacting to the development in an Instagram post on Monday evening, Abdulkareem urged Nigerian politicians to show empathy while alive if they wish to receive sympathy in death.
“If you want sympathy in death, then you must show empathy when alive.
“Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun,” he wrote.
Nigerian celebrities react to president Buhari’s death
Naira appreciates massively against dollar ahead of public holiday to honour Buhari
Buhari: ‘Show empathy If you want sympathy in death’ – Eedris Abdulkareem tells Nigerian leaders
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