The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard a Federal High Court judgment being relied upon by its expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, insisting that the decision cannot stand because the Supreme Court had already nullified the legal authority on which it was founded.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party said a letter dated July 9, 2026, was submitted to INEC by Messrs White Chambers & Co. on Gabam’s behalf, forwarding the judgment delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026 between Salawu Adeniyi Mustapha Adeoti v. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3 Others.
The SDP maintained that the judgment is already the subject of an appeal before the Court of Appeal and therefore cannot be treated as the final position of the law.
It also questioned the basis of the suit, noting that the plaintiff was neither the party’s governorship candidate in Osun State nor a participant in the SDP governorship primary, insisting that Dr. Ajala remains its validly nominated candidate.
According to the party, the Supreme Court has consistently ruled that the leadership of political parties, including the offices of National Chairman and National Secretary, falls within the internal affairs of parties and is not a matter for judicial determination.
The statement stressed that contrary to claims by Gabam’s camp, the Federal High Court did not direct INEC to recognise him as National Chairman or Ogbonna Okechukwu as National Secretary.
The SDP further argued that the High Court anchored its decision on the Court of Appeal judgment in Fayemi Tosin Babatunde v. INEC & 4 Others—a judgment that was set aside by the Supreme Court on May 22, 2026, weeks before the High Court delivered its ruling.
It said although INEC had complied with the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision before it was overturned, there is no longer any valid appellate judgment capable of supporting the High Court’s conclusion.
The party therefore urged INEC to maintain the existing SDP leadership pending the determination of the appeal, warning that recognising Gabam on the strength of the High Court judgment would amount to reviving a decision already voided by the nation’s highest court.
Describing Gabam’s actions as detrimental to democratic values, the SDP said no individual should seek to appropriate a political party as personal property, adding that the Supreme Court’s decisions remain final and binding on all authorities and lower courts.
The party also pointed to its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 9, 2026, saying it signalled a return to constitutional governance after years of what it described as one-man rule.
It disclosed that the names of its presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, and vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Usman Bugaje, have already been uploaded to INEC, while the submission of candidates who emerged from its nationwide primaries is ongoing.
The SDP said its focus has now shifted to strengthening party structures across the country, expanding its membership base, deepening internal democracy, promoting accountability, and preparing for the 2027 general elections.
It added that it has moved beyond the leadership dispute and remains committed to presenting Nigerians with a credible political alternative and contributing to the country’s democratic development