In fresh revelations in the lingering crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, on Monday alleged before journalists that bank statements and other financial documents detailing how party funds were allegedly siphoned had been tendered in court.
The SDP leadership had presented documentary evidence, including bank records, disciplinary committee reports and company registration documents allegedly linked to the laundering of party funds, Gombe said speaking shortly after the proceedings at a Magistrate Court in Abuja.
He said that the case before the court was purely criminal and it was based on allegations of financial malfeasance, misappropriation and diversion of party resources by some suspended and expelled officials of the party.
“What happened today in court is that I gave testimony as a witness and we tendered relevant documents, including the report of the disciplinary committee, invitation letters sent to the accused persons, bank statements showing debits and credits, and documents of companies through which party funds were allegedly siphoned and laundered,” he said.
The SDP chairman revealed that the issue was traced back to June 24, 2025, when the first allegations of financial misconduct within the party were made.
He said the party subsequently set up a six-man investigative panel headed by Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Sadiq Liman to probe the allegations.
Gombe said the committee sat for 14 days at the party secretariat and invited all accused persons in accordance with the party constitution.
However, he accused the suspended and expelled National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam of refusing to appear before the panel.
“The committee invited all the persons accused. Some appeared including the national auditor who apologised and resigned, but the suspended chairman refused to honour the invitation because they believed they were above the law and the constitution of the party,” he alleged.
He further accused some of the affected officials of invading the SDP national secretariat with security operatives and suspected thugs on May 7, allegedly breaking into offices and carting away sensitive documents belonging to the party.
“They broke our gate, invaded offices, including that of the treasurer, financial secretary and national secretary and carted away original party documents,” he alleged.
Gombe also said the meeting of the National Executive Committee held on March 9, 2026, validly ratified his appointment as SDP national chairman and approved the expulsion of some officials.
He said the decisions of the NEC were later certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“Some prominent Nigerians tried to broker peace in the SDP but could not get any positive result as some of the accused persons reportedly refused to adhere to the conditions agreed for reconciliation,” the SDP chairman said.
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