The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of overstepping its constitutional mandate by removing Professor Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as National Chairman and replacing him with Shehu Musa Gabam in its official records.
The party described the move as an illegal interference in its internal affairs.Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Prof. Gombe dismissed INEC’s action as a “serious administrative error,” insisting there is no court judgment empowering the electoral body to install or remove party leaders.
“There is no court pronouncement anywhere giving INEC the power to install party chairmen,” Gombe said.
“They cannot produce any such judgment. INEC has erred in this matter.”He argued that neither the Electoral Act nor the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grants INEC authority to determine the leadership of political parties.
“The internal affairs of political parties are governed strictly by their constitutions and democratic processes. INEC’s role is regulatory not managerial,” he added.
Gombe rejected reports of internal wrangling within the party, describing them as deliberate distortions intended to sow confusion.
“There is no crisis in the SDP. We are fully in charge of our structures nationwide,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the authority of the current National Working Committee (NWC), saying it draws its legitimacy from the decisions of the party’s national convention.
Congresses and Convention ScheduleAs the party prepares for the 2027 general elections, Gombe announced a tight schedule for grassroots congresses starting tomorrow:
May 1–2: Ward congresses nationwide
May 3: Local government congresses
May 4: State congresses across the 36 states and the FCT
May 5: Zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones
The exercise will produce delegates and new leadership structures that will feed into the National Convention scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.
“The convention will bring together delegates from across the federation to consolidate our preparations for 2027,” Gombe said, adding that logistical and accreditation arrangements are already in progress.
Focus on 2027Gombe emphasised that the SDP remains united and focused on providing a credible ideological alternative to Nigerians ahead of the next general elections.
“We are focused and not distracted. Our eyes are on 2027,” he declared.He, however, warned INEC against actions that could undermine democratic principles, stressing that political parties are not extensions of the electoral commission.
“Political parties are not extensions of INEC. The commission must operate within the boundaries of its constitutional mandate,” Gombe cautioned.
The SDP leadership expressed confidence that the forthcoming congresses and national convention will further strengthen the party and position it strategically for the 2027 polls, despite the dispute with INEC over leadership recognition.
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