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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

A’Court nullifies Gabam’s recognition as SDP chair

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified a Federal High Court ruling that recognized expelled Shehu Gabam as the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
  • The appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court's decision contradicted an earlier Supreme Court ruling favoring Prof. Abubakar Gombe's leadership.
  • The judgment concludes a prolonged legal dispute over the SDP's leadership, affirming Dr. Francis Ajala's nomination as the governorship candidate for Osun State.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a lower court's decision that recognized Shehu Gabam as the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The appellate court's three-member panel unanimously declared the Federal High Court's judgment null and void.

the appellate court unanimously ruled in favour of the party in all six applications considered.

— Adewole AdebayoSDP presidential candidate and counsel for the appellants, commenting on the Court of Appeal's judgment.

This ruling stems from an appeal filed by the SDP leadership under Prof. Abubakar Gombe, challenging the Federal High Court's recognition of Gabam. The Court of Appeal found the basis of the lower court's judgment to be flawed, particularly noting that the Supreme Court had previously ruled on the matter in favor of Gombe's faction.

the court declared the Federal High Court judgment recognising Gabam null and void because it contradicted an earlier Supreme Court decision delivered on May 22, 2026.

— Adewole AdebayoSDP presidential candidate and counsel for the appellants, explaining the basis for the appellate court's decision.

Adewole Adebayo, the SDP presidential candidate and counsel for the appellants, stated that the appellate court's decision aligns with a prior Supreme Court ruling from May 22, 2026. He also highlighted that the court affirmed Dr. Francis Ajala's nomination as the SDP's governorship candidate for Osun State, deeming the Federal High Court's entertainment of a suit challenging this nomination an error.

The judiciary has done very well for Nigeria and has guided INEC very well.

— Adewole AdebayoSDP presidential candidate and counsel for the appellants, commending the judiciary's role in resolving the dispute.

Adebayo praised the judiciary for resolving the leadership dispute, providing clarity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and strengthening democracy. Prof. Gombe, the SDP National Chairman, echoed these sentiments, commending the judiciary for its swift resolution and urging INEC to respect political parties' internal candidate selection processes. He also thanked Adebayo and the media for their support during the protracted legal battle.

The judiciary has done very well for Nigeria and has guided INEC very well.

— Prof GombeSDP National Chairman, commending the judiciary for its role in resolving the party's leadership dispute.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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