Lead Counsel to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and it’s Presidential candidate of in 2023 general election, Dr. Adewole Adebayo, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately interfering in the internal affairs of opposition parties, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
Speaking after the Supreme Court ordered INEC to pay a ₦2 million fine for pursuing what the court described as an unnecessary appeal against the SDP, Adebayo said the ruling should serve as a strong warning to the electoral umpire to respect the autonomy of political parties.
“I have made it clear to INEC to stop interfering in the internal affairs of the SDP and other political parties,” Adebayo said. “A multi-party democracy requires that INEC is seen to be unbiased and not fomenting crises in opposition parties.”
According to him, the SDP has no leadership crisis, stressing that its National Chairman, Professor Sajid Kakuaka-Ukumbe, the National Secretary, and all members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) are validly in office.
Adebayo explained that the dispute arose when the party appointed an acting national chairman, who formally wrote to INEC to nominate candidates. He said INEC refused to recognise the acting chairman, insisting instead on dealing with a chairman who had already been removed by the party.
“The court was very clear that INEC had no such power,” he noted. “The Court of Appeal ruled that the SDP had the right to change its leadership and that the acting chairman was duly authorised to act for the party.”
Despite complying with the judgment, INEC proceeded to the Court of Appeal and later to the Supreme Court, which dismissed the case and fined the commission ₦2 million, a cost Adebayo said would ultimately be borne by Nigerian taxpayers.
“It is unfortunate that taxpayers will pay for this, but it is a good lesson for INEC to leave the SDP alone—and indeed, leave all political parties alone,” he said.
Adebayo warned that democracy would be endangered if INEC undermined opposition parties, stressing that Nigerians must be given real choices at the polls.
“If only the ruling party exists, there will be no democracy,” he added. “INEC must ensure that other political parties are allowed to exist and function freely so Nigerians can choose between the ruling party and the opposition.”
Also speaking the Acting National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, has described the Supreme Court’s ruling against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a landmark victory not only for the party but for Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law.
He said the decision affirmed the long-standing position of the courts that the internal affairs of political parties are exclusively for the parties themselves to determine.
“This judgment is very significant, not only for the SDP, but for all political parties in Nigeria, our democracy and the rule of law,” he said. “As highlighted earlier by our lead counsel, Dr Adewole Adebayo, INEC must respect the independence of political parties.”
He noted that the Supreme Court had consistently ruled that issues relating to leadership and internal management fall outside the powers of the electoral umpire, stressing that the apex court reaffirmed this position in its latest decision.
The acting chairman urged INEC to fully comply with the ruling by allowing the SDP, and indeed all political parties, to manage their internal affairs without interference.
“We call on INEC to abide by this judgment and allow the SDP to decide on its internal matters, just as all other political parties should be allowed to do,” he said.
He also admonished political parties to conduct their affairs strictly in line with their constitutions, noting that the SDP’s actions, which culminated in the Supreme Court victory, were guided by the party’s constitution and due process.
Expressing gratitude to the judiciary, the SDP leader said the ruling should serve as a source of hope for Nigerians and a boost for democratic governance ahead of future elections.
“We are grateful to the judiciary. We hope this judgment will strengthen our democracy and the rule of law, not just now but as we move towards 2027 and beyond,” he said.
The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed INEC’s appeal against the SDP and imposed a ₦2 million fine on the commission, reinforcing the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal leadership affairs.
