SDP Acting Chairman Demands INEC Remove Gabam’s Name Following Supreme Court Judgment

The Acting National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately cease all engagements with suspended and expelled party members and remove the name of former National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, from its official records. The directive follows a Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the party’s leadership and settled a protracted dispute over control of the opposition party.

Supreme Court Affirms Party Autonomy in Leadership Dispute

Speaking to journalists at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, Prof. Abubakar emphasized that the apex court’s ruling had conclusively resolved the leadership crisis within the party. He described the judgment as a reaffirmation of the constitutional principle that political parties have the autonomy to manage their internal affairs in accordance with their constitutions, free from external interference.

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, dismissed INEC’s appeal challenging the SDP leadership and awarded N2 million in costs against the commission. The apex court described the appeal as lacking merit and purely academic. This followed an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on October 17, which upheld a Federal High Court judgment compelling INEC to recognize and include SDP candidates in by-elections across 12 states.

Prof. Abubakar commended the judiciary for upholding justice and fairness, noting that the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and Federal High Court were unanimous in their position that the internal affairs of political parties are the exclusive preserve of their internal mechanisms. He stated that the ruling reaffirmed the supremacy of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act, and the constitutions of political parties over administrative convenience.

INEC Directed to Recognize Duly Constituted Leadership

The Acting National Chairman called on INEC to be guided by the Supreme Court judgment and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of political parties. He stressed that the commission should recognize only the duly constituted leadership of the SDP as determined by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), which is empowered by the SDP constitution to oversee day-to-day administration, including appointments, discipline, and general management.

“INEC should immediately remove the name of the suspended and expelled National Chairman and replace him with the duly recognised Acting National Chairman of the party, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, who was appointed by the National Working Committee in accordance with the constitution of the party,” he declared. He added that while the party understands INEC’s concerns, the matter has been conclusively decided and settled by the Supreme Court.

The SDP’s lead counsel and 2023 presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, warned that democracy would be imperiled if opposition parties were weakened through institutional interference. He criticized INEC for pursuing the matter to the Supreme Court despite clear rulings from lower courts, noting that the N2 million cost awarded against the commission would ultimately be borne by Nigerian taxpayers. Adebayo insisted that the SDP has no leadership crisis and that all national officers, including the National Chairman, National Secretary Dr. Olu Agunloye, and members of the NWC, are validly in office.

Origins of SDP Leadership Crisis and Path to Resolution

Tracing the origin of the dispute, Prof. Abubakar explained that the crisis began when the National Working Committee investigated allegations of constitutional breaches, financial impropriety, and other misconduct against some national officers. A disciplinary committee was constituted in line with Article 19.1 of the SDP constitution, and all affected officers were given the opportunity to be heard. While the National Auditor appeared before the committee and subsequently resigned, the then National Chairman declined to appear.

Following the committee’s findings and the adoption of a White Paper, the NWC expelled the former National Chairman and the National Auditor. However, INEC allegedly refused to recognize the new leadership and declined to accept SDP candidates for elections in several states, insisting that party correspondence must be signed by the expelled chairman. This compelled the party to seek redress at the Federal High Court, where judgment was entered in its favor.

Prof. Abubakar expressed appreciation to members of the SDP National Working Committee for their support and commitment to the party, democracy, and the rule of law. He called for a new relationship between INEC and political parties based on mutual respect and adherence to the rule of law. While noting that reconciliation efforts within the party are ongoing, he stated that issues involving alleged criminal conduct would be left to the appropriate authorities.