SDP Asks INEC to Wait for Appeal in Leadership Dispute

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to take any decision on its leadership dispute until the Court of Appeal rules on a pending case challenging a Federal High Court judgment.

The party made the request on Friday through its National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, after a petition was submitted to INEC on behalf of former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, who was expelled from the party. The petition reportedly asked the electoral commission to act on a Federal High Court judgment delivered on June 24.

According to the SDP, the judgment is already before the Court of Appeal, making it inappropriate for INEC to rely on it while the legal process is still ongoing. The party said the matter remains unresolved and should await the outcome of the appeal.

The SDP also maintained that the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that courts do not have the authority to decide who occupies leadership positions in political parties, including the offices of national chairman and national secretary.

The party further argued that the Federal High Court judgment did not direct INEC to recognise any individual as the party’s national chairman or national secretary. It said there was no order requiring the commission to install Shehu Gabam or Ogbonna Okechukwu into any leadership position.

The SDP added that part of the judgment was based on an earlier Court of Appeal decision which, according to the party, had already been nullified by the Supreme Court. It said this was another reason INEC should maintain the existing leadership arrangement until the appeal is concluded.

The party disclosed that it held its National Executive Committee meeting on July 9 as part of efforts to strengthen its internal structure and improve party administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It also announced that the nomination process for its presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, and his running mate, Dr. Usman Bugaje, has been completed. The party said it is also processing documents for other candidates who emerged from its primaries.

The SDP said its attention remains on preparing for the 2027 elections and building a stronger political platform while promoting democratic values across the country.