Nigeria's Social Democratic Party Rejects Court Ruling on Gabam's Leadership Claim

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Nigeria has said the Federal High Court judgment cited by expelled former national chairman Shehu Musa Gabam cannot overturn the party’s leadership because the Supreme Court already nullified the underlying Court of Appeal decision. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, warned that accepting the high court ruling would amount to reversing a Supreme Court judgment dated May 22 2026, which held that courts have no jurisdiction to decide who occupies party offices such as national chairman or secretary.

The SDP urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo while the matter remains on appeal, noting that the plaintiff in the suit was not a legitimate governorship candidate. It added that the dispute had been set aside after a recent National Executive Committee meeting and that the party is now concentrating on preparations for the 2027 general elections, having already submitted its presidential and vice‑presidential candidates to INEC.