SDP says party leadership not determined by INEC portal

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Gombe, has said that the leadership of a political party is determined by its internal organs and not by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) portal.

Gombe stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with journalists at the INEC headquarters after a meeting between the commission and leaders of registered political parties.

Reacting to questions on why the name of  Shehu Gabam still appeared on the INEC portal as SDP national chairman, Gombe maintained that Gabam and three other party officials had been expelled from the party.

According to him, the Supreme Court has consistently ruled that issues relating to party leadership and discipline fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of political parties.

“It is not about the INEC portal. The Supreme Court has separately ruled on this issue.

“INEC’s portal does not determine who the chairman of a political party is; that responsibility lies with the party through its recognised organs,” he said.

Gombe said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) remained the principal organs responsible for its administration.

He explained that the NWC, which previously had 15 members, was reduced to 11 following disciplinary actions taken against four members.

“One of them, the National Auditor, resigned and apologised to the party.

“The remaining three, including Shehu Gabam, were expelled following due process through a disciplinary committee that gave them a fair hearing,” he said.

The SDP chairman alleged that the affected members failed to appear before the disciplinary committee and did not utilise the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms.

He cited Article 19(c) of the SDP Constitution, which, according to him, grants aggrieved members five working days to appeal disciplinary measures.

“None of them followed the provisions of the party constitution to appeal their suspension or expulsion, nor did they seek redress in any court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.

Gombe said the party had documentary evidence, including a Certified True Copy of a Supreme Court judgment and an INEC report relating to the party’s leadership structure.

He expressed confidence in the current leadership of INEC to uphold the rule of law and respect the internal affairs of political parties.

“We are pleased that the INEC chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to the rule of law and respect for the internal affairs of political parties,” he said.

On the possibility of reconciliation with the expelled members, Gombe said the party remained open to receiving any member willing to retrace his steps and abide by its rules.

“If a child repents, realises his mistakes and seeks to make amends, there is nothing wrong with that.

“As leaders, we cannot discard people forever. Nevertheless, we have moved beyond that stage and remain focused on strengthening the party,” he said.

Commenting on reports that INEC had appealed a Federal High Court judgment concerning election timelines, Gombe said that although the commission had the constitutional right to appeal, he considered the litigation unnecessary.

“To some of us, there is no need for INEC to appeal.

“The judgment will give political parties more time to prepare for elections and campaigns, rather than imposing timelines that could potentially disenfranchise parties or candidates,” he said.