Shehu Gabam has suffered another setback in the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
According to daily post, The Court of Appeal has set aside a judgment that recognised Gabam as the National Chairman of the party. The latest ruling has added another twist to the leadership battle within the SDP.
The dispute has been ongoing for months, with rival factions laying claim to the leadership of the party. Gabam had relied on an earlier court judgment to strengthen his position as the party’s National Chairman.
However, the latest decision by the Court of Appeal has now thrown that recognition into fresh uncertainty. The development is likely to intensify the battle between the different factions fighting for control of the SDP.
The disagreement has also involved the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which has had to deal with competing claims over the party’s leadership. At the centre of the dispute is the question of who has the legal authority to lead the SDP at the national level.
Gabam’s faction has maintained that he is the legitimate National Chairman of the party. The opposing faction, however, has challenged his position and questioned the process through which he emerged as chairman.
The matter has moved through different levels of the Nigerian judiciary. Earlier court decisions had produced outcomes favourable to Gabam and his supporters.
However, those decisions have since faced further legal challenges. The latest ruling has therefore created another major development in the leadership struggle.
It also comes at a crucial time, with political parties already making plans ahead of the 2027 general elections. The SDP is expected to play a role in the political realignment ahead of the elections.
However, the continuing leadership dispute could affect the party’s preparations if the disagreement is not resolved.
The crisis has also created uncertainty over which faction will be recognised for important party activities. For Gabam, the latest judgment represents a significant legal blow.
It could force his faction to reconsider its next move as the battle over control of the SDP continues. The rival factions may now have to return to court or seek another political solution to the dispute.
For now, the question of who will ultimately control the SDP remains unresolved. The latest Court of Appeal decision has simply opened another chapter in the party’s long-running leadership crisis.
