The Social Democratic Party (SDP) finds itself embroiled in a deepening internal crisis, marked by a power struggle that has led to the dissolution of its National Working Committee (NWC) and conflicting claims of legitimacy. The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), convened in Abuja, took the drastic step of dissolving the NWC, citing the protracted leadership tussle that had effectively fractured the party. An interim leadership was immediately appointed, headed by Adamu Modibo as National Chairman. This move, however, was swiftly challenged by the embattled National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, who denounced the NEC meeting and the subsequent dissolution as illegal, asserting that the gathering lacked the authority to make such a decision. This competing claim of authority throws the party’s future into further uncertainty.
The roots of the conflict stem from accusations of misappropriation and fraud leveled against the suspended National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, by a faction aligned with Dr. Agunloye. Gabam, in turn, refuted these allegations and dismissed appointments made by Agunloye’s group as illegitimate. This reciprocal distrust and power struggle escalated into a physical confrontation at the party’s national secretariat, requiring intervention by security personnel. The NEC’s decision to dissolve the NWC was presented as a last resort after repeated reconciliation efforts failed. The NEC emphasized that the ongoing disharmony was jeopardizing the party’s viability and eroding the confidence of its supporters, necessitating decisive action to salvage the situation and restore order.
Dr. Agunloye, however, challenged the narrative presented by the NEC, alleging that the meeting was orchestrated by loyalists of a rival faction and therefore illegitimate. He urged party members, including elected officials and state chairmen, to disregard the pronouncements made at the meeting. He further claimed that several state chairmen had submitted sworn affidavits to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disavowing the meeting and asserting that their signatures had been misused. This claim of forged signatures adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate conflict within the SDP, raising concerns about the validity of the processes and decisions taken.
Beyond the internal power struggles, the SDP has also announced its withdrawal from a coalition of opposition parties, initially spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Abubakar Dogara, appointed Deputy Chairman in the interim leadership, explained that the SDP’s participation in the coalition was predicated on the understanding that it would maintain its distinct identity. He stated that following consultations with stakeholders, the party opted to remain independent and contest future elections under its own banner. This decision underscores the SDP’s desire to preserve its autonomy and avoid being subsumed within a larger political alliance.
Adding further to the turmoil, the SDP has publicly distanced itself from former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, denying any affiliation or association with him. The party categorically stated that El-Rufai was not a member and had no authority to represent or speak on its behalf. The SDP’s North-West Zonal Secretary, Inuwa Idris, issued a strong disclaimer, emphasizing that El-Rufai’s appearances at various forums, purporting to represent the party, were unauthorized and lacked the consent of the party’s leadership. This disavowal aims to prevent any misrepresentation of the SDP’s stance or policies by unauthorized individuals.
The internal strife extends beyond the El-Rufai issue, with the party also calling for the suspension of Dr. Umar Ardo. Ardo is accused of supporting the ADC while simultaneously claiming to represent the SDP, a move deemed to be a conflict of interest and detrimental to the party’s unity. The SDP views Ardo’s actions as a display of political opportunism and a betrayal of party loyalty. These internal disputes, coupled with the leadership vacuum and conflicting claims of legitimacy, present a formidable challenge to the SDP’s coherence and future prospects. The ongoing internal strife threatens to undermine the party’s ability to effectively organize and participate in future elections. The conflicting narratives, accusations of fraud, and challenges to the legitimacy of key decisions paint a picture of a party deeply divided and struggling to maintain its internal cohesion. The coming months will be crucial for the SDP as it grapples with these internal challenges and attempts to chart a path forward.
