The Acting National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sadiq Gombe, has stsated that corruption and bad leadership remain the biggest factors undermining Nigeria’s stability and development.

Gombe spoke during an interview where he said the country’s challenges were not accidental but the outcome of entrenched corruption within government and political parties.

“Corruption is our greatest problem in this country and leadership is our bane. If you want to fix leadership, you must first cleanse the party itself,” he said.

He argued that reforming governance must begin from within political parties, adding that leadership failure has robbed Nigerians of hope, security and prosperity.

Gombe disclosed that the SDP recently uncovered alleged financial irregularities following an internal audit of the party’s accounts.

He said the findings led to the suspension of the party’s former national chairman, Alhaji Musa Gabam, the national youth leader, Chief Ogbonna Ugochukwu, and the national auditor.

According to him, an investigative committee was set up and sat for two weeks, giving the affected officials the opportunity to respond to the allegations.

Gombe said while the national auditor appeared before the committee, the former chairman and youth leader declined to honour invitations.

“After due process, a white paper committee reviewed the findings and the erring members were expelled,” he said.

He dismissed claims of crisis or factionalism in the SDP, describing the disciplinary action as constitutional and widely supported within the party.

“This is not a crisis; twelve out of 15 members of the national working committee took action to protect the integrity of the party,” he said.

The SDP acting chairman criticised current government policies, saying they place excessive pressure on ordinary Nigerians while deepening poverty.

Gombe also alleged that some laws are altered after legislative debates and before gazetting, which he described as a sign of deep-rooted corruption.

Gombe said the SDP is repositioning itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general election, drawing from what he described as its history of welfarism, justice and service.

He urged youths and women to support the party, saying they are the worst affected by current economic and governance policies.

“Defection of governors is not our focus; some defect because of skeletons in their cupboards, but in the SDP we have no skeletons and no fear,” he said.

Gombe called on Nigerians to register, vote and take ownership of the country’s future, saying the SDP is committed to transparency and accountability.

“Together we shall rescue this country; Nigeria deserves better leadership, and the SDP is ready to provide it,” he said.