INEC acknowledges receiving Supreme Court ruling on SDP

…Nat Chair, Gombe demands quick action

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan has confirmed receipt of the Supreme Court judgment on Social Democrats Party (SDP), on the leadership status of the party.

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Prof. Sadiq Umar Gombe stated this while speaking with journalists on sideline of INEC’S quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of the nation’s registered political parties, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Prof Gombe, however, assured that the Commission will act in line with the rule of law, stressing that party leadership is determined by the party, not the INEC portal.

Recall the Supreme Court recently set aside all portions of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 27, 2026, and restored the decision of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on January 19, 2026.

The Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to make pronouncements concerning the leadership of the SDP, including issues relating to Professor Sadiq Umar Gombe and the party leadership structure.

That judgment cleared the candidates sponsored by the leadership of the SDP remain valid candidates recognized under the law.

Gombe therefore quoted the INEC Chairman after the Tuesday’s meeting as saying he only returned from a foreign trip “just yesterday” and the Supreme Court decision plus other party decisions reached his table yesterday and that the Commission went into its meeting immediately.

“We are confident in the ability of INEC to do the needful, as law-abiding citizens, particularly under a professor of law who is a son. We are not doubting their competence and commitment to the rule of law and to the independence of political parties, particularly as it affects their internal affairs,” SDP chairman stated.

He added, “SDP was blunt: the crisis is not about the INEC portal. Citing the Supreme Court’s separate ruling, the party said leadership of a political party is “an exclusive preserve of the political party to decide.

“The INEC portal doesn’t determine who is chairman of a political party. It is the party itself. The party has organs that regulate its day-to-day running.”

According to him, the National Executive Committee (NEC) is SDP’s principal executing organ, followed by the National Working Committee (NWC) which runs day-to-day affairs.

Gombe said, “The current NWC has 11 members, down from 15 after four members were disciplined. One resigned and apologized — the National Auditor. Three others, including Shehu Musa Gaban, were expelled.

He said the expulsion followed due process through NEC and a disciplinary committee where the affected members were given fair hearing. The party set up an investigation committee for them to defend themselves, but they refused to participate.

He said that Article 19C of the party constitution, any disciplined member has five working days to appeal through internal party mechanisms.

“Neither Gaban, Okechukwu, nor the others did follow due process of the party constitution to have appealed their expulsion or suspension.

“Neither did they go to any court of competent jurisdiction to set aside that expulsion. The NEC, as the highest implementing organ with mandate from the national convention, took the decision,” the SDP leader said.

He noted the availability of the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment and the certified true copy of the NEC report, certified by INEC itself.

“Alhaji Sani Hassan, the officer responsible for INEC certification, coincidentally led the monitoring team that observed SDP’s NEC at Newton Park Hotel on March 9, 2026.

“On April 21, 2026, INEC also sent a monitoring and verification team to SDP’s office to verify the NEC, party books, and other organs, SDP stated.

“We are happy with what happened today. And we are happy that the INEC chairman reiterated their commitment to the rule of law, their commitment to respecting parties irrespective of their internal affairs.

“With INEC now in possession of the Supreme Court verdict and certified party documents, all eyes are on the Commission’s next steps regarding SDP’s leadership records,” Gombe said.