(Prof. Sadique Gombe. Photo by Leadership News)
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) led by Prof. Sadique Gombe has announced that the Independent National Electoral Commission has finally acknowledged its leadership as the authentic one by recognising them on its portal.
According to the party, the commission’s action has restored the party’s autonomy in line with the Supreme Court ruling on the matter.
The leadership crisis had begun when the SDP National Executive Committee expelled Shehu Musa Gabam as national chairman over allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety, subsequently appointing Prof. Gombe to head the party.
Gabam contested the decision in court and secured an interim order from the Court of Appeal that reinstated him, which the electoral commission then used to restore his name on its platform.
The Gombe-led National Working Committee rejected the move and escalated the matter to the Supreme Court.
In its final judgment, the apex court upheld the party’s autonomy and confirmed that political parties retain the right to discipline members and choose leaders in accordance with their constitutions.
The court ruled that neither the electoral commission nor the courts can impose leadership on a political party, effectively resolving the dispute in favour of the Gombe-led faction.
Following the judgment, the electoral commission removed Gabam’s name and those of other expelled members from its portal on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The action marked the conclusion of months of externally driven leadership turmoil and clarified which faction represented the party’s authentic leadership.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, said the development puts the SDP on a firm foundation of sustainable stability heading into the 2027 general elections.
He noted that it enables the party to present its presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, to Nigerians as a leader capable of addressing the country’s current challenges.
Aiyenigba said the electoral commission’s decision to respect the rule of law and judicial authorities had been widely praised by Nigerians, particularly SDP members nationwide, with many describing it as a triumph for constitutionalism and internal democracy.
He explained that the electoral commission’s new approach recognises the party’s authority to choose its leadership and manage internal affairs according to its constitution, the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026, aligning with the Supreme Court’s position that neither courts nor the electoral body have the power to interfere in political parties’ internal matters.
Aiyenigba urged the electoral commission to maintain its new stance and work cooperatively and respectfully with all political parties.
He said the SDP remained ready to work with all Nigerians and democratic institutions to strengthen democracy and serve as a platform for those seeking an end to poverty and insecurity.
According to Aiyenigba, National Chairman Prof. Gombe and members of the National Working Committee have assured the public that the party will continue to advance Nigeria’s true interests and work toward democratic strengthening.