INEC recognises Gombe as SDP national chair, drops Gabam

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognized Professor Sadiq Gombe as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This decision replaces Shehu Gabam, the previously recognized chairman who was expelled from the party.

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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 national chairman, Shehu Gabam, who was previously recognised by the commission on account of an earlier Court of Appeal judgment.

INEC's National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, announced in a statement that the commission updated its records on Wednesday in Abuja, adhering to a Supreme Court ruling. A check on INEC's portal confirmed Gombe's name as the current national chairman. This move signals an end to the prolonged leadership dispute that has affected the opposition party.

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Having finally overcome and laid to rest the externally induced leadership crisis, the party now stands on a strong pedestal of sustainable stability to be strongly positioned for the 2027 general elections, with its very popular Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, whom Nigerians comfortably relate with as possessing the requisite capacity and competence to take the country out of the woods.

Aiyenigba stated that INEC removed Gabam and other expelled members from its records on June 17. He commended INEC for upholding the rule of law and respecting judicial pronouncements, noting that the commission's action aligns with the Supreme Court's stance on political parties' internal affairs. The party believes this recognition provides a strong foundation for stability and positioning for the 2027 general elections, highlighting their presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.

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The decision of INEC to respect the rule of law and judicial authorities, particularly in this instance, is widely commended by not a few Nigerians, especially within the ranks of the SDP faithful nationwide.

The party spokesman emphasized that INEC's decision respects the SDP's autonomy to manage its leadership and internal affairs according to its constitution and Nigerian law. He expressed hope that INEC will now work cooperatively with all political parties, demonstrating its independence.

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It is pertinent to note that this new stance of INEC to recognise and respect the autonomy of the SDP to choose its leadership and discipline and conduct its internal affairs solely in accordance with its constitution as moderated by the constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2026, is in line with the express guardian of the Supreme Court, that neither the courts nor INEC has authority or power to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.