Abuja: The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the Federal High Court’s judgment that recognized Alhaji Shehu Gabam as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The appellate court, composed of Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan, and L.A. Ganiyu, delivered a unanimous verdict in favor of the SDP leadership under Prof. Abubakar Gombe.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the appeal was filed by the SDP leadership challenging the Federal High Court’s decision. Justice Umaru, in the lead judgment, declared the earlier ruling of Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026 as null and void. The appellate court determined that the Federal High Court’s basis for the judgment was flawed, as the Supreme Court had previously ruled in favor of Gombe’s leadership.
SDP presidential candidate and counsel to the appellants, Prince Adewole Adebayo, emphasized that the appellate court ruled unanimously in favor of the party across all six applications. He stated that the Federal High Court’s judgment was declared null and void because it contradicted a prior Supreme Court decision from May 22. Additionally, the appellate court confirmed Dr. Francis Ajala’s nomination as the SDP governorship candidate for Osun.
Adebayo remarked that the judgment concluded the extended legal battle over the party’s leadership. He praised the judiciary for resolving the dispute and offering clarity to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying, “The judiciary has done very well for Nigeria and has guided INEC very well.”
Prof. Gombe, the SDP National Chairman, also expressed gratitude for the judiciary’s swift resolution of the case and urged INEC to respect the internal decisions of registered political parties, especially regarding candidate selection. He commended Adebayo for his leadership of the party’s legal team and acknowledged the media’s role in covering the dispute. Gombe encouraged journalists to continue informing the public to ensure free, fair, and credible general elections in 2027.