The leadership tussle within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) took a new turn on Wednesday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially recognised Prof. Sadiq Gombe as the party’s National Chairman, replacing former chairman Shehu Gabam, whose expulsion from the party had remained a subject of controversy.
The development follows what party officials described as the implementation of a Supreme Court ruling that settled questions surrounding the party’s leadership structure.
Confirming the development in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, disclosed that the electoral commission had amended its records to reflect the change. Checks also indicated that Gombe’s name has been restored on INEC’s official portal as the recognised national chairman of the party.
According to Aiyenigba, the commission completed the update on June 17, removing the names of Gabam and other expelled members from its records.
He stated, “INEC on Wednesday bowed to the autonomy of the Social Democratic Party by implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court by uploading the name of Prof Sadiq Gombe to replace the expelled former national chairman, Shehu Gabam, who was previously recognised by the commission on account of an earlier Court of Appeal judgment.
“Having finally overcome and laid to rest the externally induced leadership crisis, the party now stands on a strong pedestal of sustainable stability to be strongly positioned for the 2027 general elections, with its very popular Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, whom Nigerians comfortably relate with as possessing the requisite capacity and competence to take the country out of the woods.”
The party described the commission’s action as a victory for internal party democracy and a recognition of the SDP’s constitutional authority to determine its own leadership.
Aiyenigba also praised INEC for complying with judicial decisions and respecting the rule of law.
“The decision of INEC to respect the rule of law and judicial authorities, particularly in this instance, is widely commended by not a few Nigerians, especially within the ranks of the SDP faithful nationwide,” he added.
The spokesman further maintained that the commission’s latest action aligns with established legal principles regarding the independence of political parties in managing their internal affairs.
In his words, “It is pertinent to note that this new stance of INEC to recognise and respect the autonomy of the SDP to choose its leadership and discipline and conduct its internal affairs solely in accordance with its constitution as moderated by the constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2026, is in line with the express guardian of the Supreme Court, that neither the courts nor INEC has authority or power to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.
“We expect that INEC will use this moment to turn a new leaf and work cooperatively and respectfully with not only the SDP, but all political parties, in a manner that will show that the word ‘independent’, which is the first name of INEC, is not a hollow term.”
The party also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and collaborating with stakeholders to address national challenges.
The recognition of Gombe marks a significant milestone in a prolonged internal dispute that has divided the SDP in recent months. The crisis stemmed from competing claims to the party’s leadership, with Gabam’s faction relying on an earlier appellate court ruling while the opposing camp insisted that subsequent legal decisions, culminating in a Supreme Court judgment, affirmed the party’s authority to determine its leadership and disciplinary matters in accordance with its constitution.
With INEC’s latest update, the party appears poised to move beyond the leadership controversy as it prepares for political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
(Ripples)
