Abuja: The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Gombe, has announced that a recent Federal High Court judgment has affirmed the legitimacy of the party’s Osun governorship candidate ahead of the approaching elections. Gombe made this statement during a news conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, indicating that the court’s decision validated the party’s primary election, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Gombe emphasized that the judgment resolved attempts by certain individuals to challenge the party’s internal processes and seek recognition outside the approved structures. He stated, “The Federal High Court judgment delivered today has settled the matter. Our governorship candidate, Dr. Francis Ajala, remains the duly elected candidate of the SDP, having emerged from a primary election properly conducted by the party and monitored by INEC.”
The SDP chairman further alleged that some individuals were causing confusion through protests, social media campaigns, and unauthorized activities, including the sale of nomination forms and collection of funds outside approved channels. He urged the media, INEC, and other stakeholders to remain vigilant against activities that could undermine the electoral process.
Gombe advised the public and political aspirants to direct all party-related inquiries and transactions through the SDP national secretariat and authorized officials. He also mentioned that the party had initiated legal action against its expelled former national chairman and former national youth leader over alleged misappropriation of more than N740 million belonging to the party.
Gombe revealed that these alleged financial infractions were discovered following a forensic review of the party’s financial records. He noted that bank statements obtained through a court-compelled subpoena from Zenith Bank showed suspicious transactions, including multiple payments to individuals within short periods. “In one day, there was a time Ogbonna was paid four to five times. There was a time in a day he was paid three times the same amount,” he added.
Gombe alleged that approximately 203 transactions occurred between two major party accounts within one year, with about 85 involving the former national youth leader’s personal account. Despite these challenges, Gombe affirmed that the SDP remained united and committed to providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.