By MBACHU GODWIN, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has finally recognized Prof Umar Abubakar Gombe as the Social Democratic Party, SDP, National Chairman by implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court by uploading Gombe’s name to replace Shehu Musa Gabam, the expelled former national chairman, who was wrongly restored by the Commission, based on the earlier judgement of the Court of Appeal.
In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba said INEC removed the name of the former chairman and expelled members on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The statement reads “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 momwnt 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.
On our part, the SDP is poised to working with all Nigerians and democratic institutions to deepen our democracy and provide a platform for all Nigerians who want to bid farewell to poverty and insecurity in our land, by ensuring that we 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 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
