The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard a recent Federal High Court ruling presented by former acting National Chairman, Shehu Gabam.
According to the daily post, the SDP judgment delivered by the Supreme Court has already resolved the leadership dispute. Therefore, it said the lower court ruling cannot override the decision of the apex court.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, maintained that the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Prof. Sadiq Gombe remains the legitimate leadership of the party.
Aiyenigba explained that Gabam and his legal team recently submitted a Federal High Court judgment to INEC in a bid to regain official recognition.
According to him, the apex court made it clear that lower courts cannot determine the internal leadership of political parties.
He also stated that the Supreme Court set aside earlier decisions that formed the basis of the dispute involving Gabam’s faction.
Furthermore, Aiyenigba stressed that the Supreme Court remains Nigeria’s highest judicial authority. As a result, its decisions take precedence over any conflicting judgment delivered by a lower court.
He urged INEC to rely on the SDP judgment instead of the Federal High Court ruling when addressing the party’s leadership issues.
The party also disclosed that Prof. Gombe’s name was uploaded to the INEC portal after Gabam’s authority was withdrawn in line with the Supreme Court ruling.
Meanwhile, the SDP addressed the controversy surrounding its governorship ticket in Osun State.The party clarified that the individual involved in the legal action is not its governorship candidate.
It also stated that the person did not participate in the party’s governorship primary election.
In addition, the SDP reaffirmed that Dr. Ajala remains its officially recognised governorship candidate for the state.The party further revealed that it has already appealed the June 24 Federal High Court judgment.
According to the leadership, the appeal became necessary because the ruling does not reflect the current legal position established by the Supreme Court.
Consequently, party officials expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal will overturn the decision.They also maintained that the SDP judgment remains the binding legal authority on the leadership dispute.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, the party said it remains focused on strengthening its internal structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Furthermore, the leadership insisted that the disagreement should not distract members from the party’s political objectives.It added that efforts are ongoing to unite members and prepare for future elections.
The latest development marks another chapter in the prolonged leadership crisis within the SDP.
However, the Gombe-led leadership insisted that the matter has already been settled by the Supreme Court.According to the party, the SDP judgment should guide every action taken by INEC on the leadership dispute.
For now, both factions continue to pursue their claims through the courts. Nevertheless, the SDP maintained that the Supreme Court’s verdict remains final and binding.
