The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has stated that crises do not weaken political parties.
He stated this during an appearance on Arise Television on Tuesday.
He maintained that disagreements and crises are common in every major political organisation.
He argued that an internal crisis can help strengthen a party’s structure and reveal the true interests of politicians involved.
“There’s no party that is perfect in terms of administration. Every party that is a force to be reckoned with has its own internal wrangles. But these internal wrangles have not started in terms of strengthening the party; a crisis strengthens political parties. It also defines individual behaviours or roles in determining how strong the parties can be,” he stated.
Addressing concerns over lingering divisions within the SDP, Gabam admitted that dissatisfaction is inevitable in politics but maintained that the majority of SDP members are focused on moving the party forward ahead of key electoral activities.
“I said there are inevitables in all political parties. There are people that are perpetually unsatisfied for one reason or the other, but I believe the majority of us are ready to move on, move the party on,” he insisted.
Gabam also dismissed claims by former SDP National Chairman, Shehu Umar Abubakar, that there was no court order recognising his leadership.
“If you read the judgment, you’ll know that it is not correct. The judgment mentions his name specifically, the purported so-called Shehu. The Justice Nwite judgment was set aside for lack of jurisdiction and perverseness. So whatever decision or action or letters signed by Shehu is null and void by implication. That’s what it is; the law has never recognized him,” he said.
The SDP chairman further defended the judiciary, describing the appellate court judgment as thorough and detailed. While acknowledging public criticism of the courts, Gabam said the ruling demonstrated that the judiciary still deserved credit in certain cases.
“If you go to the judgment page by page, you will really do justice for the judiciary. Even though people are saying the judiciary is not doing the right thing, at some certain time you will give them credit because the judgment is very thorough.”
Speaking further, Gabam said INEC’s decision to recognise his leadership was based on the Court of Appeal ruling that overturned Justice Nwite’s judgment for lack of jurisdiction.
“Absolutely, because the basis to which the legal department issued a legal opinion was on the basis of Justice Nwite, which was set aside completely,” he noted.
Gabam added that politicians have a responsibility to reduce bitterness in the political space and work towards sustaining a stable democracy, warning that the country’s political system could suffer if tensions are allowed to escalate unchecked.
“It’s our responsibility as politicians sometimes to eschew some of this bitterness and make sure we have a stable democracy. Otherwise, the body politic will pay for it,” he said.
Speaking on the SDP’s position ahead of the 2027 elections, Gabam admitted that the party’s internal crisis had affected its strength and organisational capacity.
The crisis affected the party’s strength and capacity. That’s why we are condensing the program to ensure that we meet up with the demand and the requirement that is needed at this critical time,” he admitted.
He, however, noted that the challenges were not unique to the SDP, arguing that amendments to the Electoral Act have placed pressure on all political parties, including the ruling party.
” But it’s not just SDP, like I said, the Electoral Act, as amended, has affected all parties, including the ruling party,” he said.