SDP Challenges INEC Over Gabam’s Expulsion, Insists Former Chairman No Longer Member

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has drawn a firm line against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the status of its former National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, insisting that his suspension and expulsion were lawfully ratified and remain binding on the party.

The party’s National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Gombe, stated this after a closed-door meeting with the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in Abuja, stressing that the electoral commission lacks constitutional powers to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.

Professor Gombe said the SDP only honoured INEC’s invitation for alternative dispute resolution out of respect for the institution, but maintained that the party’s internal decisions remain sacrosanct.

“We came to INEC out of respect for the institution and in response to its invitation for alternative dispute resolution, but we made it clear that the SDP remains solely responsible for its internal affairs,” he said.

According to him, 11 members of the party’s 15-member National Working Committee (NWC), alongside other stakeholders, attended the meeting and submitted documents supporting the actions taken against Gabam.

The SDP leadership stated that its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on March 9, 2026, at Newtown Park Hotel and Resort validly ratified the appointments of the current NWC members and approved Gabam’s suspension and expulsion over alleged corruption, mismanagement, criminal breach of the party constitution, and violations of the Electoral Act.

Professor Gombe noted that the NEC meeting was formally communicated to INEC and monitored by officials of the commission, adding that certified true copies of the proceedings had already been submitted to the electoral body.

He argued that under Article 19(C) of the SDP constitution, any disciplined member has five working days to challenge disciplinary action through the party’s internal appeal process, but claimed Gabam neither appealed nor sought judicial redress within the stipulated period.

“From the date the NEC ratified his expulsion, he ceased to be a member of the SDP,” the party stated.

“He failed to utilise the internal appeal mechanisms provided by the party constitution and did not challenge his expulsion before any competent court.”

The SDP also dismissed suggestions that any court order could overturn decisions ratified by the NEC and party convention, insisting that party organs remain supreme in matters concerning internal administration.

“The NEC is the administrative organ responsible for the day-to-day running of the party, and its decisions are binding. No external body can impose leadership on the SDP,” Gombe added.

On the matter reportedly before the Supreme Court, the party clarified that the case stemmed from a dispute involving an SDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State and was unrelated to the current leadership crisis.

The party further faulted alleged attempts to use the INEC portal as a basis for determining party leadership, arguing that the commission has no authority to impose or recognise leaders outside resolutions reached by the party’s recognised organs.

The SDP also expressed surprise over claims allegedly attributed to the INEC Chairman that some correspondences relating to suspensions, expulsions, and internal resolutions were not submitted to the commission.

“We have acknowledged copies of every communication sent to INEC, and all relevant documents were again presented during today’s meeting,” the party said.

Reaffirming its readiness for the 2027 general elections, the SDP said it had already conducted its national convention and presidential primary in compliance with the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution.

The party said both exercises were conducted transparently and broadcast live for public scrutiny.

The leadership urged INEC to remain neutral and strictly guided by constitutional provisions ahead of the 2027 polls.

“We are committed to free, fair and credible elections in 2027, and INEC must demonstrate from now that it will uphold due process and democratic principles,” the party added.