Abuja: The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from acting on a Federal High Court judgment cited by its former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam. The party argues that the judgment cannot override a previous Supreme Court decision, which invalidated the Court of Appeal judgment that the High Court ruling is based upon.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the SDP expressed its stance in a statement released in Abuja by Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary. Aiyenigba responded to a letter dated July 9, which was submitted to INEC by Gabam’s legal team, referencing a Federal High Court ruling from June 24. He highlighted that the party has appealed the judgment, with the case now pending before the Court of Appeal.
Aiyenigba emphasized that the plaintiff in the lawsuit was neither the SDP’s governorship candidate in Osun nor a participant in the party’s governorship primary. He also pointed out that the Supreme Court has consistently ruled that courts do not have the jurisdiction to decide on the leadership of political parties. Furthermore, the Federal High Court’s judgment did not instruct INEC to acknowledge Gabam as the national chairman or Ogbonna Okechukwu as the national secretary.
Aiyenigba also alleged that the High Court had relied on a Court of Appeal decision in the case of Fayemi Tosin Babatunde v. INEC, which the Supreme Court had set aside on May 22. He noted that INEC had already adhered to the appellate court’s decision prior to its nullification by the Supreme Court.
The SDP urged INEC to maintain the current state of the party’s leadership until the appeal is resolved. The party contended that acting on the High Court judgment would effectively reinstate a Court of Appeal decision that the Supreme Court has already nullified.
The SDP accused Gabam of attempting to destabilize the party, asserting that it is a ‘public institution belonging to Nigerians.’ The party reiterated that the Supreme Court is the ultimate authority on the matter and that its decisions are binding on all lower courts.
Aiyenigba shared that the party recently conducted its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, marking the second such meeting in four months, to showcase its dedication to internal democracy and constitutional governance. He also stated that the SDP has finalized the nomination of Dr. Adewole Adebayo as its presidential candidate and Dr. Usman Bugaje as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, and is in the process of uploading the names and credentials of other candidates who emerged from its primaries across the country.
He emphasized that the SDP remains focused on strengthening its organizational structures and preparing for the upcoming 2027 general elections.