INEC recognises Gabam-led SDP leadership after court ruling

The Independent National Electoral Commission has recognised the Shehu Gabam-led National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party following a court ruling that reshaped the party’s leadership dispute. The recognition became clear after INEC updated its official records and listed Gabam as National Chairman of the party.

The development became public on Sunday after checks on the commission’s website showed Gabam and other members of his leadership team as the recognised national executives of the SDP.

The commission also marked the listing as being based on a court order, showing the move followed a legal process.
Among officials reflected in the update were Gabam as chairman, Olu Agunloye as national secretary and other members of the National Working Committee. The decision comes after months of internal disagreement over who controls the party’s structure.

The recognition followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered in March, where a three-member panel ruled on a case challenging the legitimacy of the party leadership involved in the Ekiti governorship primary.

The case was brought by a party member who questioned the authority of a rival leadership to organise the primary election.

The appellate court partly overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that had backed the Sadiq Gombe-led leadership. The appeal court ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to make declarations on the leadership dispute, making parts of that judgment invalid.

That ruling cleared the way for fresh recognition of Gabam’s leadership, which has now been reflected by INEC. While setting aside parts of the lower court decision, the appellate court still upheld the validity of the party’s governorship primary based on evidence from INEC’s monitoring report.

The latest move is expected to affect the party’s internal politics ahead of future elections, as recognition by INEC carries weight in candidate nominations, party activities and dealings with the electoral body.

The development may also ease uncertainty within the SDP over its leadership structure after months of legal and political contest. With the electoral commission now recognising the Gabam-led executive, attention may shift to how the party moves forward and prepares for upcoming political activities.

The decision adds another chapter to leadership disputes that have affected political parties ahead of the 2027 elections, with courts continuing to play a major role in resolving internal party battles.

For the SDP, the recognition appears to settle the question of which leadership the electoral body will deal with moving forward.