The recent appointment of three new members into the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has sparked internal conflict and confusion within the party’s top ranks, raising concerns about the future of what was once seen as a unified opposition force.
Last week, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement announcing that three previously vacant positions—Deputy National Chairman (South), Deputy National Chairman (North), and National Financial Secretary—had been filled. Senator Ugochukwu Ubah, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello were listed as the appointees.
Observers viewed the move as a strategy to solidify the party’s foundation ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the announcement has instead exposed sharp divisions within the party leadership. Just days after the statement was made public, the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, denied that such appointments ever occurred.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja through the Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu, Gabam said the reports were false. He insisted that no formal meeting was held to approve the appointments and called the claims a calculated attempt to create division within the party.
“The attention of the national leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been drawn to a number of misleading media reports, claiming that three new appointments have been made into the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
“The positions in question are deputy national chairman (North), deputy national chairman (South), and national financial secretary.
“These reports attributed to the SDP’s national publicity secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, alleged that Senator Uba, Dr Abubakar, and Mr Bello had been appointed to the aforementioned roles respectively.
“We wish to categorically state that no such appointments have been made and that the statement in circulation is false, unauthorized, and does not reflect the decisions or procedures of the SDP’s NWC.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the SDP’s NWC has not convened any constitutional session or meeting to fill vacant positions within the committee as reported.
“The National Executive remains committed to due process, internal democracy and the inclusive participation of stakeholders from all geopolitical zones in any future restructuring efforts.
“As the 2027 general elections approach, we are not unaware of the calculated attempts by certain individuals and political rivals to sow discord and weaken the only credible opposition party left standing in Nigeria.
“We urge all Nigerians to disregard the unauthorised reports and remain confident in the integrity and cohesion of the SDP’s leadership.
As these conflicting narratives unfolded, the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, stepped in to offer further clarification. In a statement, Agunloye confirmed that 11 of the 12 NWC members were present at the meeting where the decision to appoint the three new officials was made, and that eight of them voted in favor.
He pointed to internal power struggles as the root of the conflict, alleging that Gabam and two other dissenting members, along with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai—who recently joined the party from the All Progressives Congress (APC)—were working together to dominate the party’s direction.
The letter dated May 16, read: “This is to officially inform your office that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party met at the National Secretariat on Thursday, May 15, in a session attended by 11 out of the 12 existing members to appoint the remaining three members of the 15-member National Working Committee as per Article 12.5 of the 2022 Constitution of the SDP as amended and as per the mandate of the June 8, 2022, National Convention.
“The INEC Chairman is hereby formally informed that the National Working Committee has appointed three persons into the NWC as per the provisions of the SDP Constitution as listed below: Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Deputy National Chairman (South); Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman (North); and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello, National Financial Secretary. “Consequently, these appointments are for an initial period of four years or till the next National Convention, whichever comes first and is subject to satisfactory performance.”
To legitimize the appointments, Agunloye also wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), formally notifying the agency of the new NWC members. His letter, dated May 16, detailed the meeting held on May 15 and cited Article 12.5 of the party’s 2022 constitution as the basis for the appointments. He said the three appointees would serve for four years or until the next National Convention, subject to satisfactory performance.
With key party officials publicly contradicting one another, the SDP now faces the same internal divisions that have plagued other opposition parties like the PDP and LP since the last general election. The situation, if not resolved soon, could threaten the party’s credibility and unity ahead of the 2027 polls.
