The Movement for Credible Elections has expressed concern over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s handling of the leadership dispute within the Social Democratic Party, accusing the commission of imposing a new chairman without a clear court directive.
The Media Coordinator of MCE, Comrade James Ezema, said in a statement on Saturday that the group was troubled by the sudden listing of Alhaji Shehu Gabam as SDP National Chairman on the INEC portal two weeks ago, despite his earlier suspension, investigation, and dismissal by the party’s National Executive Committee.
The group recalled that after Gabam’s expulsion, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe was appointed Acting National Chairman by the NEC and had functioned in that capacity for months with full recognition from INEC, which monitored the meeting that upheld the disciplinary action.
According to MCE, Gabam did not respond to the allegations against him during his suspension and investigation, nor did he challenge the disciplinary action in court.
“The sudden reappearance of his name on the INEC platform surprised party members and the public,” Ezema said.
The group said that despite letters from the SDP seeking clarification, INEC had not provided a concrete reason. The only indication, it noted, was that the commission acted on a judgment by Justice Mrs. Wike in a suit over the SDP governorship primaries dispute in Ekiti State.
MCE argued that a review of the Court of Appeal judgment showed that Gabam was not a party to the case and that his name was not mentioned. It added that neither Gabam nor INEC obtained a court order warranting his reinstatement after his dismissal for alleged fraud and misappropriation of party funds.
“There is no legal basis for this imposition,” Ezema stated.
The group further cited the invasion of the SDP National Secretariat on Thursday morning, when Gabam, accompanied by Maj. Al Mustapha, allegedly entered the premises with security personnel and others, forced out staff, and took control. It said other NWC members remain recognized on the INEC platform.
MCE described the development as an intrusion into the internal administration of a political party, warning that such actions risk destabilizing Nigeria’s fragile democracy. It said the incident reminded citizens of the era of military dictatorship.
The coalition called on INEC to provide clear legal and procedural explanations for its actions and to conduct itself in a manner that restores public confidence in its impartiality. It stressed that democracy thrives only when the electoral arbiter maintains neutrality.
MCE urged the judiciary, civil society, the media, and the international community to remain vigilant and ensure that democratic institutions operate within the bounds of fairness, transparency, and constitutional responsibility.
