The acting national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discontinue all dealings with suspended and expelled members of the party and to immediately remove the name of former National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, from its official records, following a Supreme Court judgment affirming the party’s leadership structure.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday at the SDP National Secretariat shortly after the apex court’s ruling, Abubakar said INEC is bound by the judgment to recognise only the leadership duly constituted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in line with the SDP constitution.
He called on the commission to replace the name of the expelled National Chairman with his own, noting that his appointment as Acting National Chairman was carried out lawfully by the NWC.
According to Abubakar, the Supreme Court judgment has finally resolved the leadership crisis within the party and reaffirmed the autonomy of political parties to regulate their internal affairs without external interference.
He described the ruling as a victory for justice and the rule of law, praising the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Federal High Court for their unanimous stance that internal party matters fall strictly within the jurisdiction of party mechanisms as provided by their constitutions.
The SDP chairman noted that the judgment reaffirmed the supremacy of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act and party constitutions over administrative discretion, urging INEC to respect these legal boundaries going forward.
Abubakar explained that the dispute originated from investigations by the NWC into allegations of constitutional violations, financial impropriety and misconduct against some national officers. A disciplinary committee was constituted in line with the party’s constitution, and while some officers participated in the process, the former National Chairman allegedly declined to appear.
He said the committee’s recommendations, adopted through a White Paper, led to the expulsion of the former National Chairman and the National Auditor, decisions that were formally communicated to INEC.
However, he alleged that INEC refused to acknowledge the new leadership and rejected SDP candidates in some elections, insisting that official correspondence must be signed by the expelled chairman. This prompted the party to seek judicial intervention, resulting in favourable judgments at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and ultimately the Supreme Court.
Abubakar expressed gratitude to members of the SDP National Working Committee for their commitment to democracy and the rule of law, and called for a renewed relationship between INEC and political parties anchored on mutual respect and strict adherence to legal provisions.
He added that while reconciliation efforts within the party are ongoing, issues involving alleged criminal conduct would be referred to the appropriate authorities.
Abubakar expressed hope that the judgment would further strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and promote fairness in the political system.
