The party earlier announced Gabam’s suspension over grave allegations of financial misconduct, including the alleged embezzlement and diversion of party funds.

National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, has rejected reports of his suspension, describing them as fake news and a failed attempt to destabilise the party.

The party earlier announced Gabam’s suspension over grave allegations of financial misconduct, including the alleged embezzlement and diversion of party funds.

Gabam's suspension was announced on Tuesday in a statement signed by Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary.

The statement also confirmed the suspension of Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader.

According to the statement, the decision followed a resolution reached during a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting where “overwhelming evidence” was presented linking the three officials to unauthorised financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without due approval.

However, in a press statement issued later on Tuesday, Gabam denied that he was suspended and also condemned the invasion of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by armed thugs.

Gabam declared that the reports of his suspension, along with those of other National Working Committee (NWC) members, were completely false and politically motivated.

“I want to categorically state that the news making the rounds about my suspension and that of other National Working Committee (NWC) members is completely false,” he stated.

He added: “These baseless allegations are an attempt to destabilise our great party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP). We will not be swayed by these malicious reports, and we will continue to work towards building a better future for our nation.”

According to Gabam, the rumours were a calculated attack on the party’s democratic principles and credibility.

He described the viral reports as “a wave of fake news circulating on social media” that amounts to “a blatant attack on our democratic values.”

Gabam added that several key NWC members and state chairmen gathered at the national headquarters on Tuesday to affirm their loyalty to the leadership and to discredit the claims of suspension.

“The presence of key party members of the National Working Committee (NWC) today, including some state Chairmen, further cleared the air on the news making the rounds, categorically denying the false reports of our suspension and reaffirming our unity and commitment to the party's ideals,” he said.

Gabam warned that those behind the suspension narrative were bent on undermining the party’s leadership and discrediting its internal accountability structures.

He maintained that his administration had always upheld transparency in financial dealings.

“We believe that this is a deliberate attempt to undermine our efforts and tarnish our reputation,” he said.

“As leaders, we have always been mindful of our actions and have ensured that our financial dealings are transparent and accountable.”

He also condemned the invasion of the party headquarters by armed individuals earlier in the day, describing the incident as a “regrettable and unfortunate” act of violence.

“The presence of armed thugs at our party secretariat is regrettable and unfortunate. We condemn this act of violence and demand that those responsible be brought to justice. It is essential to note that this incident has no connection to our party's internal workings. We are committed to maintaining peace and order within our party, and we will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation,” Gabam said.

Gabam reassured supporters that he remains firmly in charge of the party and is continuing his work from the national secretariat, where he addressed party members in English and Hausa.

“To set the record straight, I addressed our teeming party supporters in English and Hausa right inside my office at the National Headquarters. This is to assure them that the reports of our suspension are nothing but fake news,” he said.

Reaffirming the party’s resolve to uphold its democratic mission, Gabam noted that “the SDP’s leadership will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our party remains a credible alternative to the Nigerian people.”

While promising transparency and integrity, Gabam warned that no party official would be shielded if found guilty of wrongdoing, but insisted that the current allegations lacked substance and evidence.

“As I conclude, I want to assure our supporters that we remain resolute and committed to our cause. We will not be swayed by fake news and baseless allegations,” Gabam added.

“I urge everyone to disregard these false reports and remain focused on our mission to build a better Nigeria,” he added.

His reaction comes after a statement earlier on Tuesday from the SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, announced the suspension of Gabam and two other party officials, National Auditor Nze Nnadi Clarkson and National Youth Leader Uchechukwu Chukwuma, over allegations of financial misconduct.