The Supreme Court has brought the latest legal challenge over the leadership of the Social Democratic Party to a close, dismissing an appeal filed by Shehu Gabam and leaving Prof. Sadiq Gombe recognised as the party’s National Chairman.
The five-judge panel, headed by Justice Adamu Jauro, also included Justices Haruna Tsammani, A.A. Adumein, Jonah Adah and Joseph Oyewole.
The panel dismissed the appeal on Wednesday after finding that the matter was no longer relevant for determination.
The dispute over who should control the SDP leadership had passed through the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal before getting to the Supreme Court.
Gombe welcomed the ruling, saying the outcome represented a broader victory beyond the party.
“This is a victory not only for the SDP, but a victory for democracy.”
He argued that the party’s involvement in the series of court proceedings should be seen as part of its efforts to uphold democratic principles.
“Whenever you see the SDP in any of the courts, either the Federal, Court of Appeal or here (apex court), we are always here in defence of democracy, not just in defence of SDP as a party.”
Also speaking, SDP presidential candidate and lawyer to the party, Adewole Adebayo, said the appeal had effectively lost its basis and that the Supreme Court’s decision had ended Gabam’s bid to retain a claim to the party’s leadership.
“The Supreme Court said that there is no life in the case and dismissed the case. That is the end of Shehu Gabam. There is nothing about the SDP leadership crisis coming up again.”
Adebayo explained that Gabam had previously been expelled from the party but did not personally challenge that decision. He said the initial legal action was instead brought by another member of the party who wanted Gabam recognised as its chairman.
He added that the SDP subsequently challenged the Federal High Court ruling at the Court of Appeal, where the earlier decision was overturned.
“We argued the case that the Court of Appeal should correct that judgment, and the Court of Appeal set aside the judgment.”
The Supreme Court decision comes at a time when the SDP is working to resolve its internal leadership matters ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, Adebayo disclosed that the party still has two separate matters involving the Independent National Electoral Commission before the Supreme Court.
According to him, the pending suits are connected to INEC’s electoral schedule and the amount of time political parties are given to nominate candidates or make substitutions.
He stressed that the party’s decision to approach the court was not because it was struggling to meet the commission’s deadlines. Rather, he said the SDP wanted the court to clarify the extent of INEC’s authority under the law.
“The reason we brought the case to court is not that we, particularly SDP, are not able to cope with the timetable. It is to limit the abuse of the electoral process by INEC.”
Adebayo further insisted that the electoral commission’s actions must remain within the boundaries set by existing laws.
