National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, says the party has complied with electoral regulations and that its leadership is legitimate.
He said this followed a verification exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Gombe stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said an 11-member INEC delegation conducted a comprehensive review of the party’s National Executive Committee ,NEC, National Working Committee ,NWC, and administrative structures.
According to him, the exercise involved physical identification of party leaders, inspection of financial records, verification of staff strength and duties, and confirmation of the party’s nationwide presence in line with legal requirements.
“We had full representation of our NEC members, including state chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This demonstrates our unity and compliance with the law”, he said.
Gombe added that INEC officials also examined the party’s membership register; both electronic and hard copies, as well as documents relating to its headquarters and financial operations.
He noted that the party had fulfilled all statutory obligations under the Electoral Act, including maintaining offices in at least two-thirds of the states.
The chairman said political parties are required to submit their membership registers by May 9, ahead of primaries scheduled to conclude on May 30.
On internal matters, Gombe emphasised that decisions taken by the party’s NEC remain binding, citing Supreme Court judgments affirming that internal party affairs are the exclusive preserve of political parties.
He maintained that the current leadership emerged from a duly constituted NEC meeting held in March 2025, with INEC in attendance.
Gombe commended state and zonal leaders for their support, noting that the ongoing membership registration exercise had recorded encouraging participation nationwide.
He expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are not taking anything for granted. We remain committed to the growth of the party and the progress of our democracy”, he said.
He urged the media to report the party’s activities accurately and reaffirmed the SDP’s commitment to democratic principles and national development.
Responding to questions on Sen. Ahmed Wadada’s alleged association with another political party, the National Publicity Secretary, Amb. Rufus Aiyenigba, said the party had not received any formal resignation from the senator.
“As of today, no formal resignation has been communicated to the party.
“Under Nigerian law, an individual cannot belong to two political parties at the same time. Until the proper process is followed, he remains a member of the SDP”, Aiyenigba said.
He added that the matter was being reviewed by the party’s legal department and that appropriate action would be taken.
Aiyenigba also referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling which, he said, resolved disputes concerning the party, including a governorship matter, in its favour.
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