2027: SDP reacts as INEC restores Gombe as nat chairman

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has implemented the ruling of the Supreme Court by uploading the name of Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe as the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to replace Shehu Musa Gabam, the expelled former national chairman of the party.

Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, National Publicity Secretary, SDP on Thursday in a statement noted that Gabam was wrongly restored by INEC, on account of the commission’s claim to rely on the earlier judgement of the Court of Appeal.

According to him, INEC removed the name of the former chairman and expelled members on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

“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.

“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.

“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 courses nor INEC has authority or power to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.

“It is our expectation that INEC will use this moment to turn a new leaf and work cooperative and respectively with mot only the SDP, but all political parties, in the manner that will show that the word ‘independent’ that is the first name of INEC is not a hollow term,” Aiyenigba said.

He said that on their part, the SDP is poised to working with all Nigerians and democratic institutions to deepen the nation’s democracy and provide a platform for all Nigerians who want to bid farewell to poverty and insecurity in the land, by ensuring that they lead Nigerians to form a government that will implement Chapter 2 of the Constitution, fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as reflected in the SDP manifesto.

The SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) assure the members of the party across the country, and the Nigerian public, that the SDP will continue to promote the true interests of Nigeria and work for democratic consolidation, for the good of our nation.