Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed the appeal filed by Shehu Gabam in the long-running leadership dispute within the Social Democratic Party, effectively affirming Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe as the party’s National Chairman. The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by a five-member panel comprising Justices Adamu Jauro, Haruna Tsammani, A.A. Adumein, Jonah Adah, and Joseph Oyewole. According to the lead Justice, Adamu Jauro, the appeal had become irrelevant and was therefore dismissed.
The dispute began in June 2026 when Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise Gabam as the SDP national chairman. Dissatisfied with the ruling, the SDP leadership led by Gombe approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja. In August 2026, the appellate court voided the lower court’s judgment, holding that the Supreme Court had earlier decided the matter in favour of Gombe’s leadership in a judgment delivered on May 22, 2026. The plaintiff in the original suit subsequently took the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision.
Speaking to journalists after the judgment, the SDP presidential candidate for the 2027 election and counsel to the party, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the appeal had “no life.” “The Supreme Court said that there is no life in the case and dismissed the case. That is the end of Shehu Gabam. There is nothing about the SDP leadership crisis coming up again,” Adebayo said. He explained that Gabam had already been removed from the party and had not challenged his removal. According to Adebayo, the original suit was instituted by another party member seeking recognition for Gabam, and the circumstances upon which the suit was based had subsequently changed. “We argued the case that the Court of Appeal should correct that judge, and the Court of Appeal set aside the judgment,” he said.
Adebayo also disclosed that the SDP has two other cases before the Supreme Court involving the Independent National Electoral Commission and the 2027 election timetable. He said the cases concern what the party considers a shortening of the statutory periods available for the nomination and substitution of candidates. “The reason we brought the case to court is not because we, particularly SDP, are not able to cope with the timetable. It is to limit the abuse of the electoral process by INEC. INEC’s job is to be a servant of democracy and to follow the law as stated,” he said. He maintained that the electoral commission must exercise its powers within the limits prescribed by law.
Reacting to the judgment, the SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Umar Gombe, described the outcome as a victory for the party and for democracy. “This is a victory not only for the SDP, but a victory for democracy,” Gombe said. He noted that the matter had passed through different stages of litigation before reaching the apex court. He added that the party’s repeated appearances before the courts should be viewed within the broader context of its commitment to democratic governance rather than merely as attempts to defend its organisational interests. “Whenever you see the SDP in any of the courts, either the Federal, the Court of Appeal, or here, we are always here in defence of democracy, not just in defence of SDP as a party,” he said.
The judgment brings to a close a prolonged legal battle that had threatened to destabilise the SDP ahead of the 2027 general elections. The leadership crisis had created uncertainty over the party’s national leadership and raised questions about its ability to present a united front in the forthcoming polls. With the Supreme Court’s verdict, the party can now focus on consolidating its structures and preparing for the electoral contest. The SDP is expected to intensify its campaign activities in the coming months as it seeks to position itself as a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress and the main opposition parties. The two remaining cases before the Supreme Court, which challenge the INEC timetable for the 2027 elections, will be closely watched as they could have significant implications for all political parties in the country.
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