The Independent National Electoral Commission has recognised Prof Sadiq Umar 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 had 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.
He 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 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.
Gombe, speaking to journalists after the proceedings at the Magistrate’s Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, expressed confidence in the party’s position in an ongoing court case arising from the party’s leadership dispute.
The court on Wednesday adjourned the case until July 28, 2026, after banking documents expected to be presented as evidence were not made available for the continuation of the hearing.
Gombe said the delay was caused by the inability of the financial institution involved to produce a bank statement required by the prosecution.
According to him, efforts were initially made to obtain the document directly from the bank, but the process could not be completed within the stipulated period.
“We approached the court registry to secure a subpoena directing the bank to produce the statement,” he said.
Gombe explained that the bank informed the court that the document was voluminous and required approval from its headquarters as well as official certification before it could be released.
He said the prosecution subsequently requested more time to obtain the document, leading to the court’s decision to adjourn the case until July 28.
Commenting on the internal dispute within the SDP, Gombe maintained that the party’s actions regarding disciplinary measures against some members were carried out in accordance with its constitution and relevant legal provisions.
He stated that the decisions were approved by the party’s National Working Committee and National Executive Committee and were communicated to INEC.
“The party followed due process in handling the matter,” he said, adding that the SDP remained focused on its activities despite the ongoing legal proceedings.
“The SDP remains focused on its activities despite the ongoing legal proceedings. We are confident that the court process will provide clarity on the issues in contention, and the party will continue to operate in line with its constitution and the law,” he added.