SDP reclaims national secretariat as INEC recognises Gombe-led leadership

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has successfully reclaimed its national secretariat in Abuja, marking the end of months of internal leadership disputes and political infighting.

National Chairman Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe announced the development on Monday, stating that a series of Supreme Court judgments and official recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have resolved the party's protracted leadership crisis. Gombe described the reclamation of the party office as a significant milestone, representing the culmination of nearly a year of internal reforms, legal battles, and adherence to constitutional procedures.

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The SDP remains the ideological alternative Nigerians have been yearning for. We are committed to providing the leadership required for the 21st century and ensuring that Nigeria takes its rightful place among the leading nations of the world.

According to Gombe, disciplinary actions taken against certain members were based on investigations by an NWC-appointed committee, whose recommendations were reviewed by a White Paper Committee before sanctions were imposed in line with the party's constitution. He assured that all affected members received a fair hearing and that due process was strictly followed. "Today is a great day for all of us. It is significant because it comes almost exactly one year after the National Working Committee, acting within the powers granted to it by the party’s constitution, took disciplinary action against some erring members," Gombe stated.

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Today is a great day for all of us. It is significant because it comes almost exactly one year after the National Working Committee, acting within the powers granted to it by the party’s constitution, took disciplinary action against some erring members.

The SDP chairman highlighted a Supreme Court ruling on December 19, 2025, which affirmed that the internal affairs of political parties are their exclusive domain. He also accused INEC of initially refusing to recognize communications from the party's leadership post-disciplinary actions, alleging the commission demanded correspondence signed by expelled individuals. However, subsequent court rulings eventually validated the SDP's position. Gombe added that an National Executive Committee meeting held on March 9, 2026, under INEC supervision, ratified disciplinary actions, appointments, and leadership decisions, with INEC certifying the proceedings as compliant with the party's constitution and electoral laws.

Gombe expressed the SDP's commitment to serving as an "ideological alternative" for Nigerians, aiming to provide leadership for the 21st century and help Nigeria achieve its potential among leading nations.

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The Supreme Court ruled that all decisions taken by the party are binding on members and that internal affairs of political parties are matters for the parties themselves to determine.