The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, has hailed the Supreme Court judgment which nullified what he described as “wrong pronouncements” made by the Court of Appeal on the leadership of the party.
The apex court, in its ruling delivered today, held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to make pronouncements on the internal leadership of the SDP.
The Supreme Court subsequently set aside all aspects of the Appeal Court judgment relating to Prof. Gombe and the leadership structure of the party.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Prof. Gombe called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately correct any misleading information on its website concerning the leadership of the SDP.
According to him, the Supreme Court restored the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on January 19, 2026, affirming the party’s position on its leadership and internal decisions.
Gombe said the ruling also confirmed that candidates sponsored by the recognized SDP leadership remain valid and legally recognized ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the judgment reaffirmed the constitutional principle that political parties are independent entities empowered to manage their internal affairs, including leadership and candidate selection.
The SDP chairman commended the judiciary for upholding the rule of law and expressed optimism that recent judgments involving political parties and INEC would restore public confidence in the judicial process.
He urged the judiciary to remain impartial and committed to justice as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, while also calling on INEC to comply fully with the Supreme Court judgment.
Gombe maintained that Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam remained expelled from the party following resolutions reached at the SDP National Executive Committee meeting held on March 9, 2026, in Abuja.
He insisted that all disciplinary actions taken against Gabam followed due process as provided in the SDP constitution, including suspension, investigation, fair hearing, and eventual expulsion.
Responding to questions from journalists, Gombe alleged that INEC acted based on claims of a court order which, according to the party, did not exist in the manner it was publicly presented.
He emphasized that no valid court order directed the removal of the recognized SDP leadership or compelled the recognition of any expelled member as national chairman of the party.
Also speaking, the National Secretary of the SDP, Dr. Olu Agunloye, said the March 9 NEC meeting was properly convened and all decisions taken were in line with the constitution of the party.
He stressed that political parties must be allowed to manage their internal affairs without external interference, adding that the Supreme Court judgment had now removed every doubt surrounding the authentic leadership of the SDP.
