INEC RECOGNISES SADIQ GOMBE AS SDP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, REPLACES SHEHU GABAM
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially recognised Prof. Sadiq Gombe as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, replacing the expelled former chairman, Shehu Gabam.
The development follows what the party described as the commission’s implementation of a Supreme Court judgment relating to the party’s internal leadership dispute.
The National Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Rufus Aiyenigba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, INEC updated its records and removed the names of the former chairman and other expelled members from its portal on June 17.
An independent review also confirmed that Prof. Gombe’s name now appears on the commission’s portal as the recognised national chairman of the party.
Aiyenigba described the move as a major milestone in resolving the prolonged leadership crisis that has affected the opposition party in recent months.
The statement read in part: “INEC on Wednesday bowed to the autonomy of the Social Democratic Party by implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court by uploading the name of Prof Sadiq Gombe to replace the expelled former national chairman, Shehu Gabam, who was previously recognised by the commission on account of an earlier Court of Appeal judgment.”
The party said the resolution of the dispute has strengthened its internal stability ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The SDP also referenced its presidential flagbearer, Prince Adewole Adebayo, expressing confidence in the party’s political prospects.
Aiyenigba commended INEC for what he described as respect for judicial authority and adherence to the rule of law.
He argued that the decision aligns with the position of the Supreme Court regarding the autonomy of political parties to manage their internal affairs, including leadership selection and disciplinary actions, in line with party constitutions and electoral laws.
According to the SDP spokesman, political institutions should operate in a manner that reflects independence and respect for democratic processes.
The leadership tussle within the party had intensified in recent months amid competing claims to control of the party structure.
While Shehu Gabam previously retained recognition following an earlier Court of Appeal ruling, the SDP maintained that subsequent legal developments culminating in a Supreme Court decision affirmed the party’s authority to determine its leadership structure and disciplinary processes internally.
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