The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised the National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) led by Shehu Musa Gabam, effectively bringing an end to the party’s prolonged leadership crisis.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the electoral body reflected the development on its official website, listing the party’s leadership structure with a bold inscription, “By Court Order,” preceding the names of executive members.
Gabam is listed as National Chairman, while Olu Agunloye appears as National Secretary.
Other members recognised include National Treasurer, Hajia Maggie Mariam, and National Legal Adviser, Barrister Aderemi Abimbola.
The development follows a judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Abuja Division, which affirmed Gabam as the authentic chairman of the party.
In a unanimous ruling delivered on March 27, 2026, a three-member panel partly upheld an appeal filed by Fayemi Tosin Babatunde challenging the party’s internal processes.
The appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to make pronouncements on the SDP leadership tussle.
Delivering the lead judgment, Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, alongside Justices Abba Bello Mohammed and Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, ruled that findings made without jurisdiction were null and void.
“The appeal succeeds in part,” the court held, setting aside the lower court’s recognition of a rival leadership.
The case originated from a challenge to the Ekiti State governorship primary, with the appellant arguing that the leadership that conducted the exercise lacked legitimacy.
He had also sought an order restraining INEC from recognising candidates produced by the disputed leadership.
Despite nullifying aspects of the lower court’s ruling, the appellate court relied on INEC’s monitoring report to affirm the validity of the primary election.
The report confirmed that the exercise was conducted with valid delegates and produced a winner, Engr. Bankole David Oludele.