The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, has said the party remains open to reconciliation with aggrieved members as it intensifies internal restructuring and prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in Abuja after a quarterly consultative meeting between political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission, Gombe said the SDP has largely contained its internal disagreements but is still willing to welcome back members who follow due process as provided in the party constitution.
He stressed that reconciliation within the party must be guided by discipline and established procedures, noting that the SDP’s internal framework already provides clear mechanisms for conflict resolution, accountability, and reintegration of members. According to him, unity cannot be sustained outside the boundaries of party rules.
Gombe further argued that political parties must be allowed to manage their internal affairs without external interference, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of association, including the right of citizens to join and participate in political organisations of their choice. He maintained that the judiciary remains the appropriate avenue for resolving political disputes and expressed confidence in its role in interpreting such matters fairly.
He added that the party is now focused on strengthening its structures and repositioning ahead of future electoral contests, signalling a shift from internal disputes to broader political mobilisation.
At the same meeting, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, assured political stakeholders that preparations for the 2027 general elections remain on schedule despite ongoing litigation challenging parts of the electoral timetable. He said the commission has filed appeals to seek clearer judicial interpretation of contested rulings to ensure certainty in the electoral process.
Amupitan also confirmed readiness for the Ekiti State governorship election and six bye-elections scheduled for June 20, 2026, noting that logistics, training of personnel, deployment of technology, and distribution of materials have been concluded.
He urged political parties to intensify voter education and promote peaceful participation in the electoral process, warning against violence, hate speech, and vote-buying.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, called for urgent reforms to the Electoral Act 2026, saying recent amendments—particularly the removal of indirect primaries—have created operational and legal challenges for political parties.
He urged the National Assembly to review provisions of the law to strengthen internal party democracy, reduce disputes, and improve electoral efficiency, while calling for closer collaboration among INEC, political parties, and security agencies ahead of the 2027 polls.