The leadership crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party worsened on Wednesday after the faction loyal to the reinstated National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, announced the expulsion of 13 key party figures, including the party’s sole presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo.
The dramatic development unfolded during the party’s national convention and presidential primaries held in Abuja, where delegates loyal to Gabam also adopted Lagos businessman, Abimbola Atanda, as the party’s new sole presidential candidate through a voice vote.
Those expelled alongside Adebayo include factional National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, Joseph Abu, Maggie Batubo, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, Abimbola Aderemi, Oguchukwu Uba, Huseesini Bello, Alabi Lekan, Rosemary Effiong and Abubakar Modibo.
The convention also moved swiftly to dissolve the National Working Committee before electing a fresh set of national officers through a voice vote.
The newly inaugurated National Working Committee members include Gabam as National Chairman, Adebola Abbas as National Secretary, Ibrahim Biu as Deputy National Secretary, Dr Uchechukwu Chukwuma as National Organising Secretary, Muka’ila Mavo as National Legal Adviser, Zakari Nadabu as National Publicity Secretary, Hauwa Ahmed as National Woman Leader, Steven Otu as National Youth Leader and Abubakar Isiaka as National Financial Secretary.
