Police seal SDP secretariat as party insists on Bauchi Convention

By Jude Opara

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Thursday reaffirmed its decision to hold its National Convention in Bauchi state this weekend, despite the leadership crisis which engulfed the party. The crisis saw the immediate takeover of the National Secretariait of the opposition party by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, alleged that the former National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Shehu Gabam alongside some thugs invaded the Secretariait of the party located in the Wuse area of Abuja.
Gombe who regretted that the incident happened while they were putting finishing touches to the arrangements for the Bauchi convention, insisted that the development would not affect the party’s planned convention, because all necessary notifications had been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in line with the requirements of the Electoral Act.
He further alleged that Gabam and his loyalists attempted to disrupt party’s activities at the secretariat ahead of the convention.
According to him, security operatives had earlier sealed the premises, citing concerns over public order while the National Working Committee (NWC) was meeting.
The SDP chairman claimed that after the initial sealing of the office, the group was later allowed access, describing the situation as suspicious.
Gombe maintained that there was no internal crisis within the SDP, stressing that disciplinary actions taken against some former officials followed due process.
He said a committee set up by the party investigated allegations and ensured fair hearing before recommendations were made.
He added that INEC monitored the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held earlier in the year.
He called on members nationwide to remain calm and travel to Bauchi for the convention as already planned.
However, our Reporter gathered that trouble started early in the afternoon when the former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam stormed the party secretariat with some persons suspected to be thugs and Policemen ostensibly to force out the National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe and his team.
It was gathered that Gabam and his supporters arrived the party secretariat and allegedly chased away the internal security details there.
However, Agunloye was said to have called the FCT Commissioner of Police who sent a detachment of officers who came to the office and took over the premises.
The fierce looking Policemen led by one senior Officer simply identified as P Nimyel chased away all the officers and staff of the party including the National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye.
Speaking to newsmen, Agunloye said the whole scenario was surprising and unexpected because with just two days to the party’s planned National Convention of the party in Bauchi, the party received a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), inviting them for a possible Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) with the Gabam group.
He said it was curious that the same INEC that has been monitoring the party’s ward congresses and also preparing for the Bauchi convention was in inviting them to a meeting on Friday when they were supposed to be traveling.
“I was in my office trying to reply a letter we got from INEC when these people stormed the Secretariait with their thugs and forcefully pulled down the gate”.
Meanwhile, the former National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, has announced a separate National Convention slated to take place in Abuja on May 17, 2026.
The sealing of the SDP office follows the pattern that once affected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the office of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).