The Independent National Electoral Commission has recognised Shehu Gabam as National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, listing him on its official website alongside Olu Agunloye as National Secretary. INEC's update, confirmed Sunday through statements from its Chief Press Secretary Adedayo Oketola and Director of Voter Education and Publicity Victoria Etta-Messi, follows a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 27, 2026. The Abuja Division of the court ruled in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/126/2026, affirming Gabam's position after a challenge by party member Fayemi Babatunde. The judgment noted that the Federal High Court had previously lacked jurisdiction over the leadership dispute, though it upheld the validity of the Ekiti governorship primary that produced Bankole Oludele as winner. INEC's website now displays the Gabam-led National Working Committee under a "By Court Order" designation.
The SDP has rejected the recognition, calling it unconstitutional and citing lack of service of any court order. National Publicity Secretary Rufus Aiyenigba said Gabam was expelled and no longer a member, adding that no judicial document had been served on the party. He accused INEC of overreach, stating the commission was imposing a structure without legal backing. Aiyenigba noted that all other NWC members remained unchanged except Prof Sadiq Gombe, who was removed. The party insists its internal processes remain valid and warned against external interference.
The SDP leadership is accusing INEC of imposing Shehu Gabam as chairman while acknowledging the rest of the existing executive committee remains in place, creating a contradictory stance on legitimacy. If the entire structure was lawful except for Prof Gombe's position, then replacing him with an expelled member under an unserved court order undermines the party's claim of constitutional adherence. The party's confidence that Gabam "cannot operate" rings hollow given INEC's public endorsement backed by judicial reference. This leaves rank-and-file members in a bind—expected to reject a leadership their own party structure appears to partially accept.
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