The internal crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) escalated on Tuesday as a Magistrate Court in Keffi, Nasarawa State, ordered the remand of five loyalists of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, all of whom are top members of a factional leadership battling for control of the party, Sahara reporters gathered.

The detained individuals; Nuradeen Bisala (FCT chairman), Humphrey Onwukaeze (deputy national chairman), Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry (national youth leader), Chief Solsuema Osaro (national legal adviser), and Dr. Ekpenyong Ambo (national secretary), are part of the recently formed Modibbo-led National Working Committee (NWC). This faction emerged on July 22, declaring the dissolution of the Shehu Gabam-led leadership and pledging to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The remand has intensified the factional rift within the SDP, marking a sharp turn from political infighting to legal confrontation.

Spokesperson for the Modibbo faction, Ambassador Judith Shu’aibu, accused the Gabam-led NWC of orchestrating the arrests by falsely alleging a break-in at the SDP national secretariat.

“Police went to investigate but found no evidence. Anyone can visit the secretariat and see for themselves,” she said, insisting the arrest was unjust and politically motivated.

Shu’aibu condemned the denial of bail, labeling the situation “not justice, but kidnap,” and accused opposing factions of using “propaganda and false narratives” to discredit the new NWC.

The detained officials are expected to reappear in court for a bail hearing on Friday.

This latest development plunges the SDP further into turmoil, with the party’s structure now caught between rival leadership claims, allegations of sabotage, and a growing legal storm—all of which threaten its stability ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.