SDP Leadership Turmoil: Court Overturns Gabam's Chairmanship!
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the Federal High Court's judgment that recognized Shehu Gabam as the Social Democratic Party's National Chairman, reaffirming Prof Abubakar Sadiq Gombe's leadership. This unanimous decision resolves a long-standing internal party dispute, with the appellate court emphasizing that no lower court can contradict an earlier Supreme Court ruling. The SDP now looks towards future elections with a unified front.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has decisively set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court which had previously recognized expelled Shehu Gabam as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This significant ruling, delivered on Wednesday by a three-member panel comprising Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan, and L.A. Ganiyu, puts an end to a prolonged leadership dispute within the party.
In his lead judgment, Justice Fadawu Umaru declared the Federal High Court's judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026 null and void. The appellate court's decision stemmed from an appeal filed by the legitimate SDP leadership under Prof Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, challenging the Federal High Court's earlier pronouncement.
The Court of Appeal found that the Federal High Court's basis for its judgment was fundamentally flawed, primarily because the Supreme Court had already delivered a definitive ruling on the matter, affirming Prof Sadiq Gombe's leadership on May 22, 2026. Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP presidential candidate and lead counsel to the appellants, highlighted that the appellate court unanimously ruled in the SDP's favor across all six applications considered during the proceedings. He underscored that no court in Nigeria can contradict a Supreme Court decision, making the Federal High Court's judgment a nullity for even entertaining the leadership question or recognizing Gabam.
Furthermore, the Court of Appeal affirmed Dr. Francis Ajala as the duly nominated SDP governorship candidate in Osun State, stating that the Federal High Court was incorrect to consider the claims of the plaintiff, Salahu, who purported to be the SDP candidate for Gabam's faction. Adebayo described this judgment as the resolution of a protracted legal battle and lauded the judiciary's crucial role in guiding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
With this verdict, Adebayo declared that the SDP's leadership dispute is now "over and settled" for the foreseeable future. He asserted that the party's new agenda would focus on addressing the challenges posed by the current government. Prof. Sadiq Gombe, the affirmed National Chairman of the SDP, expressed his gratitude to the judiciary for the swift resolution of the case, which was concluded in just a few days.
Prof. Gombe emphasized the importance of INEC respecting the internal affairs and candidate-selection decisions of all 22 registered political parties, not just the SDP. He also extended profound thanks to the presidential candidate and the legal team for their exceptional work, noting its positive impact on democracy in Nigeria and potentially across Africa. He appreciated INEC for proceeding to include the SDP candidate on the ballot even before the judgment and acknowledged the media's consistent cooperation and positive reporting throughout the party's challenges.
Looking ahead, Prof. Gombe expressed hope for continued media support in enlightening the public towards achieving fair and credible 2027 general elections, with the SDP poised to lead other political parties in the country.