Leadership Dispute: SDP Urges INEC to Maintain Status Quo

By Peter Adewole

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) says the Federal High Court judgment being relied upon by its former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, cannot supersede an earlier Supreme Court ruling on the party’s leadership.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, in Abuja, the party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to retain the current leadership structure pending the determination of appeals before the courts.
The statement explained that the judgment cited by Gabam has already been appealed and does not direct INEC to recognise him as the party’s National Chairman. It added that the Supreme Court had earlier set aside the Court of Appeal judgment on which the Federal High Court based its decision, making any attempt to rely on it to alter the party’s leadership legally unsustainable.
The SDP also maintained that the courts do not have the authority to determine who occupies leadership positions in political parties. It clarified that the plaintiff in the suit was not the party’s governorship candidate in Osun State, insisting that Dr. Ajala remains the recognised candidate.
The party further stated that it recently held a successful National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and is concentrating on strengthening its internal structures ahead of the 2027 general elections. It said it has completed the nomination of its presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, and vice-presidential candidate, Usman Bugaje, while preparations are underway to submit the names of other candidates.
The statement stressed that the party has moved beyond the leadership dispute and remains committed to building a stronger political platform capable of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative in the 2027 general elections.