A recent accident involving an SUV belonging to Shehu Musa Gabam, the former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has sparked controversy in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred on June 23, 2025, around 7:30pm, when the SUV attempted to beat a red traffic light at a high speed and collided with a Toyota Corolla at the cross junction along Ahmadu Bello Way by the Turkish International School Abuja.
The Toyota Corolla, valued at N18 million, was reportedly damaged beyond repair. Fortunately, the driver, Abdul-Shakur Abdullahi Sambo, a relative of Aliyu Nuhu, who shared the post on Facebook, escaped unhurt.
“The accident was a clear case of VIP reckless abuse of traffic regulations,” Nuhu posited in the post, adding. “No one is allowed by law to beat traffic light.”
According to him, the police have taken possession of the damaged vehicles, which have been evacuated to the Maitama Police Station.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family is seeking compensation for the damaged vehicle and hopes for a mediated settlement.
He explained that the policemen at the junction witnessed the accident first-hand.
The post partly read: “On 23th June 2025, around 7.30 pm to 8.00pm, an SUV belonging to Shehu Musa Gabam, the SDP National Chairman (at that time) tried to beat red traffic light at a very dangerous speed and rammed into a Toyota Corolla at cross junction along Ahmadu Bello Way (by Turkish International School Abuja).”
“The accident was a clear case of VIP reckless abuse of traffic regulations. No one is allowed by law to beat traffic light. More worrisome was the fact that the official vehicle of a whole SDP chairman does not have proper comprehensive insurance that would have taken care of the damage.
“The chairman himself is unable to save himself the embarrassment of police hearing and sit with the owner of the vehicle and discuss possible compensation of N18million which is the cost of the 2017 Toyota Corolla. It is quite demeaning to his status to allow this matter to escalate to court.
“The two damaged vehicles have been evacuated to the Maitama Police Station.
“Police has the power of mediation to settle the two parties without resorting to legal proceeding. But if Mr Shehu Gabam continues to remain obstinate and disagreeable, the only option left to the victim is court action.
“I just hope the police will do the needful on the case.”
The media had on June 26 reported that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the suspension of its National Chairman, Gabam, along with two members of the NWC.
They were removed over allegations bordering on conspiracy, fraud, misappropriation of party funds, and breach of the party’s constitution.
In a letter dated 25 June and addressed to the INEC Chairman, the SDP stated that the decision to suspend the trio was reached at a scheduled NWC meeting held on Tuesday, 24 June, which INEC had been invited to observe.
Security arrangements were also made for the meeting following intelligence reports of a planned disruption.
Suspended alongside Gabam were Mr Clarkson Nnadi, the National Auditor, and Mr Ogbonna Uchechukwu, the National Youth Leader.
The party alleged that the three officials were involved in unauthorised withdrawals from the party’s accounts, diversion of funds, and financial dealings amounting to hundreds of millions of naira, without due process, approval, or valid documentation, as required by the party’s constitution.
According to the letter signed by the SDP National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, “The NWC considered the submissions and resolutions before it and subsequently approved the suspension in accordance with the powers vested in the NWC by the 2012 Constitution of the party, as amended.”
The party described the action as necessary and in the best interest of the party, noting that the suspended members would remain barred from all party activities pending the conclusion of internal disciplinary proceedings and criminal investigations.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Rufus Aiyenigba, said the action was part of a broader move to reset the party to its founding ideals of integrity and accountability.
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