By Peter Adelowo
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, which fined the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ₦2 million for interfering in its internal affairs, describing the judgment as a major boost for multi-party democracy and the rule of law.
Lead counsel to the party and its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, told journalists that the verdict sends a strong warning to INEC to steer clear of matters strictly within the jurisdiction of political parties.
Prince Adebayo stressed that the SDP has no leadership crisis, insisting that the recognised National Officers, including Acting National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Umar Abubakar, National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, and members of the National Working Committee, remain validly in office.
He explained that the rift began after the party appointed an acting chairman who wrote to INEC to nominate candidates — a move the commission rejected while dealing with an already removed chairman.
According to him, the courts were unanimous that INEC lacked the powers to question or override the party’s internal decisions.
Prince Adebayo noted that the Court of Appeal earlier upheld the SDP’s right to restructure its leadership and authorised the acting chairman to act for the party — a position the Supreme Court has now affirmed.
He added that although the fine will ultimately affect taxpayers, it stands as a necessary reminder that no institution has the authority to destabilise opposition parties.
Also reacting, Acting National Chairman of the SDP, Professor Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, described the verdict as a landmark ruling that strengthens Nigeria’s democratic process.
Speaking from the National Chairman offfice at the party’s Secretariat in Abuja, Professor Gombe said the judgement was significant for all political parties, noting that it reaffirms the principle that party administration must be guided by party constitutions, not external interference.
He called on INEC to comply fully with the judgment and recognise the authority of the SDP National Working Committee, adding that the commission must immediately disengage from suspended or expelled members.
Professor Gombe urged the removal of former National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, from INEC’s records, emphasising that the Supreme Court ruling has now settled all questions regarding party leadership.
He expressed optimism that the decision will reset the relationship between INEC and political parties, promoting respect, fairness, and due process as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 election cycle.
The Supreme Court ruling underscores the autonomy of political parties and signals a clear judicial intolerance for regulatory intrusion into internal political structures.
