The Supreme Court on Friday brought to an end the leadership crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party (SDP), affirming the Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe-led National Working Committee (NWC) and nullifying the Court of Appeal judgement that paved the way for the reinstatement of former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam.
In a landmark judgement delivered in suit number SC/CV/229/2026, the apex court set aside the Appeal Court ruling relied upon by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore Gabam on the commission’s portal.
The Supreme Court also nullified the appellate court’s decision invalidating the Ekiti State governorship primary that produced Ambassador Isaac Adebayo Alade as the SDP candidate for the June 2026 governorship election.
The judgement followed six appeals filed by the SDP and heard on May 12, 2026, before the apex court reserved ruling till Friday.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the Supreme Court held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to institute the suit, thereby stripping the court of jurisdiction.
The apex court ruled that the Federal High Court was right in dismissing the matter for lack of locus standi and faulted the Court of Appeal for proceeding to make pronouncements on issues relating to the party’s governorship primary and leadership structure.
The court further held that the appellate court erred in relying on an INEC report concerning a purported parallel governorship primary involving Engineer David Oludele Bankole.
Consequently, all pronouncements made by the Appeal Court regarding the leadership of the SDP and Prof. Gombe were set aside, effectively restoring the authority of the Gombe-led NWC.
The Supreme Court maintained that the Appeal Court ought not to have interfered with the January 19, 2026 judgement of the Federal High Court and subsequently struck out the suit ab initio for lack of jurisdiction.
Reacting to the judgement, the SDP described the ruling as a final resolution of the internal crisis that had distracted the party in recent months.
The party said the judgement effectively ended what it termed “the shenanigans of Gabam and his co-travellers,” while also validating the resolutions reached at the SDP National Convention held in Bauchi on May 9, 2026.
According to the party, the ruling has strengthened its structure ahead of the 2027 general elections and positioned it to focus on its programmes and political agenda without further distractions.
The SDP also commended the Supreme Court justices for their courage and independence in delivering the judgement.
Reaffirming its commitment to social democracy and people-oriented governance, the party expressed confidence in the leadership of its 2027 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
