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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

INEC's Recognition of Gabam-Led SDP Faction Ignites Fresh Leadership Row

From The Punch · (6m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognized the Shehu Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
  • This recognition, based on a Court of Appeal ruling, has sparked a dispute within the SDP, with some factions rejecting INEC's move as unconstitutional interference.
  • The opposing SDP faction claims no valid court order was served and accuses INEC of foul play and acting outside its constitutional bounds.

The Punch reports on a significant internal crisis within Nigeria's Social Democratic Party (SDP) following the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) formal recognition of the Shehu Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC). This decision, apparently based on a Court of Appeal ruling, has ignited a fierce row, with a faction of the party vehemently rejecting INEC's intervention.

We see it as a contempt of the Supreme Court by INEC. That is unconstitutional, illegal and unnecessary interference in the affairs of the party.

— Rufus AiyenigbaThe National Publicity Secretary of the SDP criticized INEC's recognition of the Gabam-led NWC.

The crux of the dispute lies in the interpretation and application of a court order. While INEC, citing the court's affirmation of Gabam as the authentic national chairman, has updated its website to reflect this leadership, the opposing SDP faction insists that no valid court order was served upon them. They accuse INEC of overstepping its constitutional mandate and interfering in the party's internal affairs, labeling the commission's action as "unconstitutional, illegal, and unnecessary interference."

From a Nigerian perspective, the role of INEC in party leadership disputes is a recurring theme, often fraught with controversy. The article highlights the SDP's accusation of "foul play" and a "back-door deal," suggesting deep-seated mistrust in the electoral process and the commission's impartiality. The claim that the name of the "validly elected chairman" was substituted with that of an "expelled member" further underscores the internal divisions and the legitimacy questions surrounding the Gabam-led NWC.

Most importantly, there is no court order that emanated from anywhere. It is fictitious because no paper was served on us. We are challenging them to produce the order.

— Rufus AiyenigbaThe SDP spokesperson denied receiving any valid court order related to the leadership change.

The Punch, in its reporting, adopts a critical stance towards INEC's actions, amplifying the SDP faction's grievances. The headline itself, "INEC Gabam recognition sparks fresh SDP row," immediately signals the contentious nature of the event. The article provides a platform for the dissenting SDP spokesperson, Rufus Aiyenigba, to voice strong objections, framing the situation as a "contempt of the Supreme Court by INEC." This narrative emphasizes the perceived overreach of the electoral body and the internal struggle for control within the SDP, reflecting a common concern in Nigerian politics regarding institutional interference and the integrity of democratic processes.

I can tell you that it is a back-door deal by some elements to get that. But we are tackling it head-on.

— Rufus AiyenigbaThe SDP spokesperson alleged foul play behind INEC's decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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