The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has successfully conducted a verification exercise at its national secretariat, as part of routine checks to ensure compliance with statutory requirements for political parties.
Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe made this known while addressing the press in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists after the exercise in Abuja on Tuesday, Umar Abubakar Gombe said the visit by an 11-member INEC team was in line with provisions of the Electoral Act mandating political parties to maintain functional structures across the country.
He explained that INEC’s verification covered the composition of its National Executive Committee (NEC), documentation, financial records, and physical infrastructure.
“The NEC of the SDP comprises the National Working Committee members, zonal leaders, state chairmen of the 36 states and the FCT, as well as elected members under the platform of the party,” he stated.
According to the SDP, all required stakeholders were present during the exercise, which lasted from 11am to about 2pm.
“We had a full complement of NEC members. All the 36 state chairmen and the FCT were represented, alongside zonal and national officers.
The 11 members of the National Working Committee were also present,” he said.
The SDP chief executive noted that INEC officials scrutinised key compliance indicators, including proof of offices in at least two-thirds of states, the party’s national headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory, staff records, and financial books.
He also highlighted the increasing cost of party registration under the current law.
“Previously, registration was about N100,000, but under the new Electoral Act, it is about N50 million as a non-refundable fee,” Abubakar Gombe said.
On membership obligations ahead of the 2026 primaries, he disclosed that it had submitted its membership register in line with INEC guidelines.
“The last day for primaries, congresses and conventions is slated for May 30, 2026. Political parties are expected to submit their membership registers ahead of that, and we have complied with all requirements,” he added.
The party commended the judiciary for consistently upholding the principle that internal party matters remain the exclusive preserve of political parties.
“Supreme Court judgements have severally affirmed that internal affairs of a political party—be it leadership, congresses or conventions—are exclusively for the party to decide,” Abubakar Gombe said.
He cautioned against what it described as misinformation circulating on social media regarding its leadership and internal decisions.
“It is unfortunate that some people rely on rumours. Claims that courts have invalidated SDP decisions are false. The court has no jurisdiction in internal party affairs,” he said.
The party also referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning its Ekiti State governorship candidate, describing it as a validation of its internal processes.
“The Supreme Court dismissed the case and affirmed the party’s position. The individual was not known to the party, did not purchase forms, and did not go through due process,” he stated.
Reiterating its readiness for future elections, the SDP said it had undertaken internal reforms to strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“When we came on board, we sanitised and reset the party to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative platform for 2027 and beyond,” the party chairman said.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the INEC exercise and pledged to continue working within legal frameworks.
“We are happy to have undergone this key exercise conducted by INEC and to have successfully completed it,” he added.
The SDP further called on the media to uphold professionalism in reporting its activities.
“We urge the press to report SDP accurately and responsibly in the interest of democracy and national development,” Abubakar Gombe said.
