INEC recognises Gombe as SDP national chair, drops Gabam

The Independent National Electoral Commission has recognised Prof. Sadiq Gombe as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, replacing the expelled former chairman, Shehu Gabam.

The National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said the electoral commission had updated its records in compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment.

An independent investigation by our correspondent also confirmed that Gombe’s name has resurfaced on the portal of the commission as the current national chairman.

The development marks a significant turn in the protracted leadership crisis that has rocked the opposition party in recent months.

In his statement, Aiyenigba added that INEC removed the name of the former chairman and other expelled members from its records on June 17.

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

“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 commended INEC for what it described as its decision to uphold the rule of law and respect judicial pronouncements.

“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,” he added.

The party spokesman further argued that the commission’s action was consistent with the position of the Supreme Court on the internal affairs of political parties.

Hw said, “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.

“We expect that INEC will use this moment to turn a new leaf and work cooperatively and respectfully with not only the SDP, but all political parties, in a manner that will show that the word ‘independent’, which is the first name of INEC, is not a hollow term.”

The SDP also pledged to continue working with democratic institutions and Nigerians to strengthen democracy and address the country’s socio-economic challenges.

The leadership crisis within the SDP intensified following a dispute between rival factions over the control of the party’s national structure.

While Shehu Gabam had continued to enjoy recognition based on an earlier Court of Appeal ruling, the party maintained that subsequent legal developments, culminating in a Supreme Court judgment, affirmed its authority to determine its leadership and discipline members in line with its constitution.