The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has dismissed speculations that the party is being positioned as a vehicle for opposition politicians and discontented members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In an interview, Gabam affirmed that the SDP remains committed to its founding principles and would not serve as a refuge for politicians seeking power for personal gain.
He emphasized that the party has undergone significant restructuring, modernizing its operations while maintaining its core ideology, logo, and slogan.
“The SDP remains an independent political institution built on transparency, integrity, and fairness. We are not desperate for new members at the expense of the party’s integrity, nor are we considering any merger. Mergers often lead to crises, and we will not allow anyone to hijack the party for their own ambitions,” Gabam stated.
He acknowledged that various political figures have engaged with the party but insisted that joining the SDP does not come with special privileges.
“Our rules are simple: anyone can join from their ward, local government, or state and will have equal rights with any other member. The SDP does not belong to any godfather; it is run collectively by its National Working Committee (NWC),” he added.
Gabam also addressed claims made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the presidency is funding opposition parties to weaken the political landscape.
He denied the allegations outright, challenging anyone with evidence to present it.
“I told Atiku directly that he was wrong. Our party has never received funding from the presidency, any governor, or any private individual. Our financial records are audited and published transparently,” he asserted.
He explained that if the federal government intended to support political institutions, it should be done through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with clear accountability.
“If funding is done through legitimate means, parties will be held accountable. But if it is done secretly, then it becomes corruption,” he noted.
Regarding speculations that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is working with Atiku to create a new political movement, Gabam maintained that the SDP remains an independent force.
He clarified that while he has a long-standing personal relationship with El-Rufai, the former governor has not officially joined the SDP.
“My friendship with El-Rufai dates back over 30 years and is separate from politics. If our political interests align in the future, that would be good. But as of now, we are discussing national issues, not party membership,” he explained.
Gabam insisted that the SDP, not the Labour Party, is the true third force in Nigerian politics.
He pointed out that while many elected officials from the Labour Party have defected, all of SDP’s senators, House of Representatives members, and state assembly representatives remain intact.
“We won elections at various levels, and even in Rivers State, where our local government victory was taken away, we still secured a councillorship position. The SDP is focused on leadership recruitment and institutional building, ensuring that we lay a strong foundation for future generations,” he concluded.
Gabam reaffirmed that the party remains open to genuine individuals who wish to contribute to its growth but warned against those seeking to manipulate it for their personal ambitions.
