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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

INEC recognises Gabam-led SDP NWC after court ruling

From The Punch · (5m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognized the Shehu Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following a court ruling.
  • INEC's official website now lists Gabam as National Chairman and Olu Agunloye as National Secretary, with a note indicating "By Court Order."
  • This recognition follows a Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed Gabam's leadership, overturning a lower court's decision that had recognized a rival faction.

In a significant development for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognized the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Shehu Gabam. This decision, prominently displayed on INEC's official website, comes after a crucial ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

By Court Order

— INECIndication on INEC's website regarding the recognition of the SDP NWC.

The electoral body's updated listing, which names Gabam as National Chairman and Olu Agunloye as National Secretary, includes the explicit notation "By Court Order." This signifies that INEC's recognition is a direct consequence of judicial pronouncements, specifically a unanimous judgment by the Court of Appeal on March 27, 2026.

The appeal succeeds in part

— Court of Appeal JusticesPart of the ruling that affirmed the appellant was not an aspirant in the disputed primary.

This appellate court ruling partially overturned a Federal High Court decision that had previously recognized a different faction. The Court of Appeal determined that the lower court had lacked the jurisdiction to make definitive pronouncements on the SDP's internal leadership tussle. By setting aside those aspects of the lower court's judgment, the appellate court has effectively validated the leadership recognized by INEC, bringing a degree of clarity to the party's structure.

The court subsequently set aside the Federal High Court’s pronouncement recognising Gombe as the authentic leader of the party, as well as its validation of the November 8, 2025 primary election.

— Court of AppealDetailing the aspects of the lower court's decision that were nullified.
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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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