By Mbachu Godwin
Social Democratic Party, SDP, has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and recognition of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam as the National Chairman.
INEC, had recently removed Umar Gombe from their porter replacing it with Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam as the National Chairman.
Addressing journalists at the party’s National headquarters in Abuja , National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Sadiq Gombe argued that Alhaji Gabam was dully suspended and expelled from the party and ratified by the National Executive Committee , NEC, at its NEC meeting
Gombe who disclosed that the party is committed, focused and prepared for the 2027 general election said the party will present a presidential candidate for the election.
He said “We are starting our Congress on the 3rd with the ward Congress and National convention in Bauchi. The party is poised to go into the 2027 election as one body. The party will not be distracted, never; our eyes are on the ball. We are here 9 members out of 11 EXco members, “we are set for the 2027 election, we remain ideological driven. We held our NEC at Newton hotels where we affirmed and ratified the expulsion of Alhaji Shehu Gabam under INEC watch. We are on course towards participating in the 2027 election as one family.
“The SDP is ideology driven, we are not a party that has no ideology, we are not a bunch of individuals running around for recognition.
For us it’s irrelevant, it’s unlawful, illegal and cannot stand, it has been taken care of , and our operations are running smoothly. We are not bothered by the shenanigans going on. Nobody can destabilize SDP, we are beyond that
INEC erred in putting Gabam’s name, there is no laws that says INEC can determine who is the party chairman, there is also nothing in the constitution that gives INEC the power to determine who leads a party
Gombe insisted that Gabam was formally expelled, describing INEC’s decision to put Gabam’s name on their porter as a mistake. “INEC made a mistake in this place, the tenure of this NWC will finish in June 2026, why should anybody worry, the only issue we have is going systematically and No INEC can stop us.
There is no court order anywhere, if there is let them show us
Speaking on Coalition, he said the party is not averse to collaboration of Nigerians, but will not succumb to coalition of individuals.
“We are not averse to any collaboration of Nigerians but not of individuals. We are going to present a presidential candidate. Our National Convention is coming up on the 9th of May in Bauchi”.
