The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by Shehu Gabam over the leadership of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, clearing the way for Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe to remain the party’s national chairman.
A five-member panel of the apex court delivered the judgment on Wednesday, with Justice Adamu Jauro leading the panel alongside Justices Haruna Tsammani, A.A. Adumein, Jonah Adah and Joseph Oyewole.
The court held that Gabam’s appeal had become irrelevant and consequently dismissed the case.
The dispute followed an earlier legal battle over who had the authority to lead the SDP. Gabam had challenged a Court of Appeal decision that recognised the leadership of the party under Gombe.
The Court of Appeal had in August overturned a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which had recognised Gabam’s leadership of the SDP.
The appellate court’s decision effectively removed the legal basis for Gabam’s claim to the party’s national chairmanship, leading to the matter before the Supreme Court.
Reacting to Wednesday’s ruling, SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo said the Supreme Court decision had brought the leadership dispute to an end. He also claimed that the court had asked the appellants to withdraw the matter and apologise.
Gombe, the national chairman recognised by the court, welcomed the ruling and commended the Supreme Court for its decision.
Meanwhile, Adebayo disclosed that the SDP has another matter before the Supreme Court involving the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and its timetable for the 2027 general election.
He said the party approached the court because of concerns over the way INEC exercises its powers in setting and adjusting the electoral timetable.
According to him, the SDP wants the electoral process to operate within the law and ensure that the actions of the commission do not create difficulties for opposition parties.
The party’s position is that INEC should carry out its duties in a manner that supports a fair democratic process and does not place unnecessary restrictions on political parties.
The latest Supreme Court ruling comes as the SDP continues preparations for the 2027 general election, with the party’s leadership dispute now settled at the highest court.