National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Professor Sadiq Gombe, has on monday resumed duties at the party secretariat in Abuja following a Supreme Court judgment affirming his leadership and that of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Gombe described the resumption as a milestone after a one-year leadership crisis that began on June 24, 2025, when the NWC suspended some erring members in line with the party’s constitution.
“The NWC, acting under powers conferred by the National Convention, set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations. Suspended members were given a fair hearing before the committee.
“A White Paper Committee made up of non-NWC members later reviewed the disciplinary measures. Article 19C of the SDP constitution allows appeals within five working days, after which expelled or suspended members cease to be members,” he said.
The chairman recalled the Supreme Court ruling of December 19, 2025, which held that the internal affairs of political parties are exclusive and binding.
He said the judgment affirmed the SDP’s right to communicate with INEC through its authorised officers and not expelled officials.
Gombe noted that INEC initially refused to recognise the NWC after the judgment.
The party subsequently held a NEC meeting on March 9, 2026, monitored and certified by INEC, where all disciplinary actions and appointments were ratified.
“Despite the certified NEC report, INEC removed the chairman’s name from its portal on April 24, 2026. The Supreme Court again ruled on May 22, 2026, reaffirming that INEC must respect the SDP’s decision on its leadership and Ekiti governorship candidate,” he stated.
He said that after reviewing the convention and NEC reports, INEC issued a commission extract on June 10, 2026, reaffirming the leadership as authentic and restored his name and those of other NWC members to its portal a week later, ending months of recognition dispute between the party and the electoral body.
Gombe urged Nigerians to see the SDP as a credible ideological alternative for 21st-century challenges.
He pledged that the party would present candidates focused on education, healthcare, security and food security to meet the needs of Nigeria’s projected population of 450 million, adding that the party’s doors remain open to repentant members willing to work for national rescue.
He also commended the media and the party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, for standing with the party throughout the crisis
