POLITICS
Corruption Has Killed Nigeria, Leadership Has Failed Us – SSP Chairman
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Acting National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, has described corruption as the single greatest problem destroying Nigeria, declaring that bad leadership has crippled the nation and robbed citizens of hope, security and prosperity.
Speaking in an interview, Gombe said Nigeria’s crisis is not accidental but the direct outcome of corrupt leadership and fraudulent practices entrenched in both government and political parties.
“Corruption is our greatest problem in this country and leadership is our bane,” he said.
“If you want to fix leadership, you must first cleanse the party itself.
”Gombe revealed that the SDP recently took decisive action after uncovering alleged fraud and criminal financial irregularities within the party.
According to him, an audit exposed serious financial misconduct linked to top officials.
As a result, the party suspended its former National Chairman, Alhaji Musa Gabam, the National Youth Leader, Chief Ogbonna Ugochukwu, and the National Auditor.
An investigative committee was set up and sat for two weeks, allowing accused officials the opportunity to defend themselves.
While the National Auditor reportedly appeared before the committee, Gwambe said the former chairman and youth leader refused to appear.
“After due process, a white paper committee reviewed the findings and the erring members were expelled,” he stated.
“They were given opportunities to defend themselves and they refused.”
He dismissed claims of crisis or factionalisation within the SDP, stressing that the action was constitutional and supported by the majority of the party’s National Working Committee.
“This is not a crisis. Twelve out of fifteen NWC members took action to protect the integrity of the party,” he said.
Gombe accused the current administration of implementing policies that punish ordinary Nigerians while deepening poverty and hardship.
“Everything today is about taxing and pressing the common man,” he said.
“Policies are debated, but by the time they are gazetted, they are fraudulently altered. This is happening before our eyes because of corruption and bad leadership.”
He warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat, citing voter apathy and low electoral participation as dangerous signs.
“A president elected with less than nine percent of registered voters is unacceptable,” he said.
“It shows we are not serious about our future.”
The SDP chairman said the party is repositioning itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections, drawing strength from its history and legacy.
“The SDP remains the party of welfarism, justice and service,” Gombe said.
“Leadership is about providing well-being, security and shared values for the people.”
Gombe urged Nigerian youths and women, whom he described as the worst victims of current policies, to rally behind the SDP. He said the party is open to all Nigerians with the capacity, character and courage to lead.
“Defection of governors is not our focus,” he said. “Some defect because of skeletons in their cupboards. In the SDP, we have no skeletons and no fear.”
He concluded with a call for national rebirth, urging Nigerians to register, vote and reclaim their country.
“Together we shall rescue this country,” he declared. “Nigeria deserves better leadership, and the SDP is ready to provide it.”
Gombe signed off by reaffirming the party’s commitment to transparency, accountability and service, saying the SDP would not betray the trust of Nigerians.
Kabiru Garba, Zamfara Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the party is ready to take over Zamfara from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 General Elections.
Garba stated this while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday at the stakeholders’ meeting for the phase II Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise in Gusau.
Garba stated that the party was receiving new members from various political parties in the state.
“As I am speaking to you now, we are busy every day receiving high caliber political stakeholders in the state.
“People believe with the ideologies of our great party, the party is getting more popular on a daily basis.
“We are becoming stronger, the party is capable of winning all political offices in the state including the governorship position in the 2027 general elections,” the party Chairman explained.
Garba said that the ADC was the “most popular party in Zamfara” as people of the state were willing to join the party on a daily basis.
“The ADC is ready for the election, even if it’s held tomorrow.
“I believe people of the state are ever ready to vote for ADC, they are tired with the ongoing administration in the state aled by the PDP.
“The entire Nigerians are also tired with the ongoing administration of the All Progressive Congress (APC),”he added.
Garba commended the arrangements by INEC for the second phase of the CVR exercise.
He assured that the ADC would mobilise and sensitise its members in the state to participate actively in the exercise.
Former Senate Leader and Oyo State Ambassador for Renewed Hope, Sen. Teslim Folarin, said President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms will lay a strong foundation for long-term national growth.
He stated this on Monday during the ongoing 14-Federal Constituency Tour jointly organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with Oyo All Progressives Congress(APC), at Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East and Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituencies.
Folarin noted that the ongoing reform agenda is necessary to stabilise the economy, stressing that effective communication of these reforms at the grassroots level would be critical to winning public understanding and sustained support.
He stated that the federal constituency tour was designed to strengthen internal cohesion, rebuild confidence within party structures, and lay a solid foundation for early and disciplined mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Ibadan is the political nerve centre of the South-West. Oyo state proved its strength in 2023 by giving the president the highest differential votes nationwide.
“In 2027, we are ready to raise the bar and deliver record votes for Mr. President.
“Leaders of the APC in Oyo state have resolved to mobilise a record number of votes for the president in the 2027 general elections, signalling an early and coordinated consolidation of party structures across the state,” Folarin said.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, emphasised the importance of unity, early reconciliation, and disciplined mobilisation.
He noted that electoral success depends on consistent engagement at ward and polling unit levels, rather than last minute campaigns.
The Oyo State Chairman of the APC, Olayide Abas, called for intensified voter education, continuous voter registration, and coordinated mobilisation ahead of the next general elections.
Former First Lady of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi, urged party leaders and supporters to remain united, stressing that cohesion and discipline were vital to sustaining the APC’s strength in the state.
She said the engagements provided an opportunity to reconnect with the grassroots and consolidate support for the president ahead of 2027.
A gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Adewale Kareem, described the federal constituency tour as timely, noting that it had helped to rebuild confidence within party structures.
He called for sustained mobilisation and voter education, adding that the unity of stakeholders and early preparation would be key to securing victory for the president in the 2027 general elections.
APC chieftains at the event included Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Sen. Yunus Akintunde, Sen. Femi Lanlehin, Sen. Ayo Adeseun, Sen. Hosea Agboola, Sen. Kola Balogun, and other key party stakeholders.
Others were Hon. Remi Oseni, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Barrister Akeem Agbaje among others.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II, by protesters in Ekpoma.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Patrick Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Monday in Benin.
The governor’s condemnation came after he visited the palace to personally assess the damage allegedly caused by the protesters.
The protesters had allegedly invaded the palace under the guise of expressing grievances over insecurity.
Okpebholo was accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), state chairman and other party stakeholders.
According to the statement, vehicles within the palace compound were vandalised, while canopies and chairs were broken. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed.
Doors and windows of the palace were also damaged.
Okpebholo described the invasion of the palace and the looting of property as criminal and unacceptable, stressing that protests must never be used as an excuse for lawlessness.
He disclosed that a security meeting was held earlier in the week with a strong focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis.
Okpebholo added that the government had rolled out strategic, technology-driven security operations.
The Governor warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be brought to justice.
“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years.
“They came under the guise of protest and sentiments, then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable.
“We will go after them the same way we are going after kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience.
“I am an Esan man and I got my highest votes here in Ekpoma. I will not allow bad things to happen in this land. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves. Nobody involved in this criminality will be spared,” he said.
He assured the traditional ruler and the people of Ekpoma that decisive security operations were imminent.
He noted that peace, law, and order would be fully restored in the community and across Edo Central.
The Onojie Abumere II, described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the protesters were under the influence of illicit drugs.
“What transpired was very sad. Many of them were under the influence of drugs. If not for God’s intervention, something worse would have happened,” he said.
He explained that he attempted to address the protesters when they first arrived but was prevented from doing so.
According to him, the protesters later returned while he was away attending a security meeting with other traditional rulers, forced their way into the palace, and unleashed violence.
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