INEC updates SDP leadership record, recognizing Gombe as national chairman

The leadership dispute within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) took a new turn on Wednesday when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially recognized Prof. Sadiq Gombe as National Chairman of the party, replacing former chairman Shehu Gabam, whose dismissal from the party remains the subject of controversy.

The development follows what party officials describe as the implementation of a Supreme Court decision that resolved questions surrounding the party’s leadership structure.

Confirming the development in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, revealed that the electoral commission had amended its records to reflect the change. Checks also showed that Gombe’s name had been restored on INEC’s official portal as the recognized national chairman of the party.

According to Aiyenigba, the commission completed the update on June 17, removing the names of Gabam and other expelled members from its records.

He stated, “INEC on Wednesday bowed to the autonomy of the Social Democratic Party by implementing the Supreme Court ruling by uploading the name of Prof Sadiq Gombe to replace the sacked former national chairman, Shehu Gabam, who was previously recognized by the commission due to the previous Court of Appeal ruling.

“Having finally overcome and put an end to the leadership crisis caused by external factors, the party now stands on a strong foundation of sustainable stability and is strongly positioned for the 2027 general elections, with their highly popular Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who Nigerians consider to have the necessary capacity and competence to take the country out of trouble.”

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The party described the commission’s action as a victory for internal party democracy and recognition of the SDP’s constitutional authority to determine its own leadership.

Aiyenigba also commended INEC for complying with the court ruling and respecting the rule of law.

“INEC’s decision to respect the rule of law and judicial authority, particularly in this matter, has received widespread praise from many Nigerians, especially among SDP supporters nationwide,” he added.

The spokesperson further emphasized that the commission’s latest actions were in line with applicable legal principles regarding the independence of political parties in managing their internal affairs.

In his words, “It is important to note that INEC’s new stance of recognizing and respecting the SDP’s autonomy to elect leadership and discipline and conduct its internal affairs solely in accordance with its constitution as moderated by the Nigerian constitution and the 2026 Elections Act, is in line with the Supreme Court’s directive, that neither the courts nor INEC have the authority or power to interfere in the internal affairs of a political party.

“We hope that INEC will use this moment to turn over a new leaf and work cooperatively and respectfully not only with the SDP, but all political parties, in a way that shows that the word ‘independent’, which is INEC’s first name, is not an empty term.”

The party also reiterated its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and collaborating with stakeholders to address national challenges.

Gombe’s admission marks an important milestone in the long-running internal dispute that has divided the SDP in recent months. The crisis stemmed from competing claims to party leadership, with the Gabam faction relying on previous appeals court decisions, while the opposing camp insisted that subsequent legal decisions, culminating in the Supreme Court decision, confirmed the party’s authority to determine leadership and discipline matters in accordance with its constitution.

With the latest information from INEC, the party seems ready to overcome the leadership controversy while preparing for political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.