The State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has backed the endorsement of the suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Shehu Gabam.
In an address read out by the head of SDP Forum of State Chairmen, Femi Adeniyi Ferrari, said the state leaders were concerned about the current political situation within the party.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the state leaders maintained that there is no crisis within the party, adding that the party is committed to building a strong internal democracy and presenting ourselves as a credible alternative.
“We fully support the National Working Committee’s decision to suspend the national chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, the national auditor, Clarkson Nnadi, and the national youth leader, Ogbonna Chukuwma,” he said.
“This aligns with the sentiments expressed by our grassroots members. The fight against corruption must be genuine, and openness is vital in the SDP. Given our country’s current situation and the present government’s maladministration, we must uphold our principles of social justice and zero tolerance for corruption.
It is important to note that all actions taken have been initiated by the state chapters. Our situation can be summarized by the phrase, ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.’ This Forum has repeatedly requested that the National Chairman remit the state’s allocated percentage, as outlined in the constitution, but he has consistently ignored these requests.
“No state chapter has received any funds from the money raised, and whenever we inquire about our dues, we encounter threats of removal or suspension.
“Moreover, we have expressed concerns about our former National Chairman’s unilateral and autocratic leadership style, particularly in his interactions with the State chairmen and members of the National Working Committee.
“Therefore, we call for an immediate investigation into all allegations, in a transparent and honest and fair manner. To this end, the Forum has offered to nominate a member of the Disciplinary Investigation Panel who shall be a state chairman.
“The Forum leaders will continue to be fully engaged and robustly involved in the process to restore accountability and transparency and responsibility to the SDP at all levels.
“As a reflection of the manifesto of the SDP which promises true federalism to Nigerian polity, our party needs to operate under a proper federal system, whereby the finances are collected by the state chapters before the portions meant for the national headquarters are remitted to the national level.
“More importantly, this message must go to all and Sundry that when money is donated or contributed to the party, it is for the development of the party, not for an individual to appropriate as personal resources. The shameful notion that leadership positions in a political party is a passport to living above one’s legitimate means of livelihood or indulging in ostentatious lifestyle funded off proceeds of graft, embezzlement, theft, and other corruption is a malaise and menace that must be rooted out completely if the majority of Nigerians are ever going to accord respect and repose confidence in the political class.
“And the confidence of the people is the lifeblood of democracy. For an opposition political party like the SDP, the only political platform for the common people, the last hope of ordinary Nigerians and the only political party devoted to eradication of poverty, insecurity and corruption, we have no other choice than to be and be seen to be above board, more than the proverbial Caesar’s wife.
“On the part of the NWC, we urge the party leadership to allow the Disciplinary Committee or Investigation Panel free hands to do a truly honest, openly fair and legally just investigation without any political or other motivation or interference.
“We urge the investigation body to follow the rule of law and due process along the lines of natural justice and for the findings to be made public without delay.”.
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