The Gombe State chapter of the Social Democratic Party was on Saturday thrown into disarray following the suspension of its State Chairman, Adamu Modibbo, over allegations of mismanagement, abuse of office, and lack of financial transparency.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Gombe, where concerned members of the state executive committee leveled series of allegations against the embattled chairman.
Our correspondent reports that Modibbo was among leaders of political parties that converged to declare it decision to defeat All Progressives Congress in 2027 poll.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the executives, the party’s Welfare Secretary, Usman Degri, accused Modibbo of sidelining key stakeholders and undermining internal party structures.
“Since his assumption of office, Comrade Modibbo has run the party like a private enterprise.
“There’s been no meaningful progress. Instead, what we have seen is the witch-hunting of loyal members and the frustrating of genuine efforts to strengthen the SDP in Gombe,” he stated.
Degri further alleged that Modibbo had failed to provide any financial report despite receiving donations from party supporters.
“Till date, no financial report has been presented to the executive or even shared with the broader party structure. He operates like a one-man army,” he said.
He also criticised the continued use of Modibbo’s residence as the party’s operational base. “It is improper and unacceptable that the SDP in Gombe does not have a functional secretariat while funds were released for that purpose. Using his house as the party office is a violation of procedure,” Degri added.
Speaking on the issue of internal democracy, Degri lamented the lack of inclusiveness in key party decisions. “Over 90 percent of our executive members have been denied access to official SDP membership cards,” he said. “Candidate selections are made unilaterally and announced at the national level, with no input from the state structure. We feel completely sidelined.”
“This change is necessary to rescue our party from collapse and restore internal order,” Degri told reporters.
The aggrieved members called on the national leadership of the SDP to wade into the crisis and help rebuild the party in the state.
“We seek your indulgence in fixing the SDP in Gombe State with prudent leadership and transparency for the betterment of Gombe people and Nigeria at large,” Degri said.
In response to these grievances, the executives announced Modibbo’s immediate suspension and named the party’s State Secretary, Mr Aaron Yakubu, as acting State Chairman. Ambassador Lukman Adamu Elkanem, who previously served as Acting Assistant Public Relations Officer, has been appointed as acting State Secretary.
