Supreme Court ends SDP leadership dispute involving Shehu Gabam

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal regarding the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), effectively ending a long-standing legal dispute involving former National Chairman Shehu Gabam.

The litigation began after a Federal High Court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Gabam. The SDP challenged that ruling at the Court of Appeal, which subsequently set the judgment aside. When the original plaintiff appealed the appellate court's decision to the Supreme Court, the apex court ultimately dismissed the case, determining there was no longer a “live issue” requiring determination.

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s presidential candidate, noted that Gabam had previously been removed from the party. While this specific leadership battle has concluded, Adebayo stated that two other cases involving the SDP and INEC remain pending before the Supreme Court. These ongoing matters concern INEC’s authority to shorten statutory periods for political parties to nominate and substitute candidates ahead of elections.