The factional National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sadiq Gombe, on Thursday, May 7, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of interfering in the internal affairs of the party in a bid to trigger a leadership crisis within the opposition platform.
NewsWatch Nigeria reports that Gombe made the allegation during a press briefing held at the party’s national secretariat amid the lingering leadership dispute rocking the SDP.
The crisis follows the alleged disruption of party activities by the party’s former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, and his supporters.
According to reports, Gabam allegedly stormed the party secretariat with political thugs before security operatives intervened to restore order.
Reacting to the development, Gombe defended the suspension and eventual expulsion of officials loyal to Gabam, insisting that the actions were carried out in accordance with the constitution of the party.
He explained that the affected members were accused of misconduct, financial infractions and actions deemed contrary to the party’s constitution.
“We inaugurated a five-man committee under Air Vice Marshal Bakir Sadiq Gilmour to investigate the allegations. Those affected were officially invited to appear before the committee to defend themselves,” Gombe stated.
The SDP chairman further disclosed that Gabam allegedly failed to honour the invitation extended to him to resolve the dispute internally.
“The committee sat daily for two weeks at the national secretariat. After reviewing the report, the NWC set up a white paper committee that recommended their expulsion from the party,” he added.
Gombe, however, expressed displeasure over what he described as the electoral body’s unnecessary involvement in the party’s internal affairs.
According to him, the party was surprised when INEC allegedly invited SDP leaders for an alternative dispute resolution meeting despite the absence of any recognised dispute before the commission.
“Our surprise and dismay is that on the eve of our convention, INEC invited us for alternative dispute resolution when we are not aware of any dispute,” he said.
He maintained that political parties possess constitutional powers to manage their own affairs without external interference, accusing INEC of attempting to impose leadership on the SDP.
“We are Nigerians. We are law-abiding citizens. Nobody will intimidate us in our own country. We are going ahead with our convention in Bauchi,” Gombe declared.
Despite the growing leadership crisis within the opposition party, Gombe insisted that preparations for the SDP convention in Bauchi remained on course.
