From David Onuoja, Abuja
The National Chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Gombe, has disagreed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over its appealing to the appellate Court concerning the recent judgement of the Federal High Court, that set aside, the time frame for the conduct of Political Parties election primaries in the Country; describing it as unnecessary.
Gombe who was speaking to Journalists immediately after the INEC Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with the Political Parties held in Abuja, said they are no reason why INEC should appeal that judgement, though, it is their right, but “we feel it is unnecessary”.
Speaking on the Party leadership, Abubakar Gombe said, INEC Portal does not determine Party Leadership, insisting that every political party has the right according to electoral act to determine how it govern its activities.
He equally, reiterated that the selection of party leadership is the exclusive responsibility of the party and not the INEC portal. Stressing that Supreme Court rulings have consistently affirmed that political parties, through their internal organs, regulate their own day-to-day affairs.
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SDP National Chairman added that INEC portal does not determine who serves as chairman, noting that the National Executive Committee is the principal executing organ of the SDP, followed by the 11-member National Working Committee responsible for daily operations.
Prof. Gombe explained that the current NWC structure followed disciplinary action against four former members who reduced the committee from 15 to 11. According to him, one member resigned and apologised through the National Auditor, while the remaining three were expelled after a disciplinary committee granted them fair hearing.
He cited Article 9.2c of the party constitution, which provides five avenues of internal appeal for disciplined members, adding that those affected neither followed due process nor approached any court to challenge their expulsion. The NEC, he said, remains the highest implementing organ with mandate from the national convention to take decisions on behalf of the party.
The SDP chairman presented certified copies of the Supreme Court judgment and the NEC report, both certified by INEC, to back the party’s position. He disclosed that INEC’s monitoring and verification team attended the party’s NEC meeting on 9th March 2026 and again on 21st April 2026 to verify proceedings and party records.
Prof. Abubakar Gombe said he was satisfied with INEC’s commitment to the rule of law and independence of political parties, noting that the INEC chairman only received the Supreme Court decision and the party’s position a day before the commission’s meeting and pledged to act accordingly.
