The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticised the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appeal recent court rulings that nullified parts of its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after INEC’s Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with political parties in Abuja, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, argued that the judgments would enhance participation by giving political parties and candidates more room to prepare for the polls.
Gombe said, “INEC has no right to appeal the ruling because of the timing of the election. To some of us, there is no need for it because this will free political parties, give them more room to prepare for elections and campaigns, rather than tightening the process.”
He stressed that party leadership disputes remain internal matters, not subject to INEC’s intervention, citing Supreme Court precedents affirming that political parties alone determine their leadership.
On reconciliation with the faction led by former chairman Shehu Musa Gabam, Gombe noted that the SDP constitution provides mechanisms for discipline and reconciliation, adding that the party remains open to dialogue.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, explained that the commission’s decision to appeal was to seek clarity on its constitutional powers to regulate electoral activities.
He warned that altering parts of the timetable could disrupt critical processes such as primaries, nominations, voter education, and logistics.
The appeals follow two Federal High Court rulings in May, one filed by the Youth Party and another by the SDP itself which questioned deadlines for candidate nomination and substitution.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com