By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have declared full support for the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two other top officials, saying the move was a necessary step to restore accountability, transparency and internal democracy in the party.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Forum of SDP State Chairmen debunked reports of a crisis within the party, insisting that the ongoing events reflect a determined effort to cleanse the party of corruption and reinforce its democratic ethos.

“We want to clarify to the public that there is no crisis within the party.

The SDP is committed to building a strong internal democracy and presenting ourselves as a credible alternative, hence the need to cleanse ourselves from within lest we be guilty of hypocrisy”, the forum stated in a joint address.

They expressed outrage over the alleged financial misconduct by Gabam, National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi, and National Youth Leader Ogbonna Chukuwma, describing their suspension as long overdue and in line with the wishes of party members at the grassroots.

The forum accused the suspended National Chairman of running the party like a personal fiefdom. “No state chapter has received any funds from the money raised,” they said. “Whenever we inquire about our dues, we encounter threats of removal or suspension. Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.”

According to them, the suspension process followed due procedure as provided in the party’s constitution. “We call for an immediate investigation into all allegations in a transparent, honest and fair manner,” they said, offering to nominate a state chairman to serve on the Disciplinary Investigation Panel.

They further condemned what they described as the “autocratic leadership style” of Gabam, accusing him of failing to call a single National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting since he assumed office. “More importantly, this message must go to all and sundry: when money is donated or contributed to the party, it is for the development of the party, not for an individual to appropriate as personal resources,” the statement said.

The forum also urged the current acting leadership of the party to convene a NEC meeting immediately and allow the investigative panel a free hand to work.

Calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to meddle in the internal affairs of the party, the state leaders warned against any action that could ferment “the yeast of instability” or advantage the ruling party.

“The public impression that INEC has shown a tendency to dabble into the internal affairs of political parties… should not be extended to the SDP,” they warned.

Insisting that the party must lead by example if it seeks to be the “credible alternative” for Nigerians, the forum stated: “We cannot be a party of embezzlement, fraud, forgeries, graft, grand theft and other criminality whilst still laying claim to being the champion of the masses.”

They emphasized that the internal reforms and disciplinary actions were not about political alignments or 2027 elections, but about ensuring that the party lives up to its founding ideals of integrity, social justice and service.

Adding more context to the development, SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, described the situation as a “cleansing process” to return the party to its “factory setting” of transparency, credibility and accountability.

Speaking in an interview, Aiyenigba said: “What we have going on in the SDP is a cleansing process of trying to return the party to its factory setting… the ideology of transparency, accountability and credibility. We have seen a situation in the last two-three years where all of these [values] provided in the constitution were not adhered to.”

He revealed that a six-month investigation into the party’s financial dealings uncovered “mind-boggling infractions.” According to him, funds were being diverted to private accounts without the knowledge or approval of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“We were able to establish humongous funds that were moved out of the party’s account in the last three years going to private accounts and expenditures that were not having NWC clearance. Nothing has gone through the NWC in the last three years.”

Torough David, Abuja

The Anambra All Progressive Congress (APC) said it will deploy a grassroots-based campaign strategy to sweep the November 8 governorship poll.

The party’s governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, said this on Thursday at the party Secretariat in Awka, while inaugurating 52 support groups for grassroots campaign mobilisation.

The groups came from the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

Ukachukwu said: “Our campaign will be based on each of the 21 LGAs.

“From there, we will move to the 326 wards and 5,720 polling units in the state.”

“Don’t give me a strategy to win the state, give me the strategy to win your wards and polling units.

“If we win all the wards and polling units, we will win the state election.

“Therefore, go home and be the director of the campaign in your wards and polling units to enable us to win.”

The APC flag bearer promised to give the state quality and purposeful leadership, when elected.

He charged the over 980 persons from the groups to go to the grassroots to mobilise voters.

“Make sure you keep your voter cards safe and also tell our supporters to do the same.

“Our National Secretariat and Mr President have given us the mandate to go and win Anambra governorship,” he said.

The former Head of logistics of the Labour Party in Anambra, Ozigbo Fabian, who led a support group of some LP members to the event, promised to support APC.

“I am excited to be here with some members of the LP to support Ukachukwu and APC because they have something special to offer Anambra,” he said.

He expressed optimism that APC would win the poll.

15 political parties are in the race to stop Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s second term bid on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Torough David, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume in Anambra on July 17 and nationwide on Aug.

18.

INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this at the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties on Thursday in Abuja.

Yakubu said that in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, the CVR exercise would be held at two levels.

He said the exercise would commence in the 326 wards across the state on July 8 and end on July 17 from 9.

a.m to 3.p.m daily, including the weekend.

“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra from other states of the federation or from one location to another within the state will have the opportunity to do so.

“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for replacement.

“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres.

“Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in persons to register,’’ he said.

The INEC chairman, however, explained that the online pre-registration option is currently unavailable.

Yakubu added that voter registration and compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

“`For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all states of the federation.

“The online pre-registration will start on Aug.  18, while the in-person registration will follow on Aug.  25.

“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all states and the FCT as well as the 774 Local Government Area offices nationwide,’’ he said.

Yakubu said the detailed schedule of activities would be released soon.