State chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police, and other relevant authorities to investigate the party’s expelled National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over alleged diversion of nearly ₦1 billion belonging to the party.
The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja by Femi Olaniyi, Chairman of the Forum of SDP State Chairmen and the Lagos State SDP Chairman, while addressing journalists on the party’s recent leadership crisis.
Olaniyi stated that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) took the right decision in expelling Gabam and other executives, accusing them of betraying the legacy of the SDP’s founding leaders, including Baba Gana Kingibe and Olu Falae, who “penned their names in gold” in the party’s history.
“The matter must be taken to all relevant investigative authorities, such as the EFCC and the Nigeria Police, for further investigation and to recover the funds embezzled by the former national chairman,” Olaniyi said.
“As you all know, 75 percent of the embezzled funds, nearly a billion naira, belong to the states as stipulated by our constitution. We need our money back and cannot forgo it; otherwise, we may be compelled to take legal action.”
Olaniyi warned that the forum of state chairmen would not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings if the stolen funds were not recovered.
The SDP’s National Working Committee had recently announced the expulsion of Shehu Gabam and several others over alleged financial mismanagement.
Confirming the action, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the expelled officials had failed in their responsibilities over the past three years, resulting in financial and administrative decay within the party.
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