2027: Supreme Court Judgment supersedes FHC ruling — SDP to INEC, Gabam

The National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party, led by Prof. Sodiq Gombe, has made an important clarification regarding a Federal High Court judgment being paraded by its embattled former acting chairman, Shehu Gabam. 

In a statement on Friday by the opposition party’s spokesperson, Araba Aiyenigba told the Independent National Electoral Commission that the ground upon which the FHC judgment was based has been set aside by the Supreme Court. 

This comes following a highcourt judgment submitted to INEC by Gabam and its legal term laying fresh siege to the party leadership. 

However, SDP told INEC that the said judgment has been appealed against by the party, and it is now pending before the Court of Appeal. 

“The SDP calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note that the said judgment has been appealed against by the Social Democratic Party, and it is now pending before the Court of Appeal. 

“It is clear that the said plaintiff is not the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the Osun State and did not participate in our primary election. Dr Ajala is the SDP governorship candidate.

“With respect to the leadership of the SDP, the Supreme Court has maintained that courts do not have jurisdiction to determine who can be the national chairman, national secretary, or the leadership of a political party. 

“Having moved beyond the distraction of Shehu Musa Gabam, the party is focused on strongly building and reinforcing its capacity for victory ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement reads. 

Recall that Gombe’s name was uploaded on INEC’s portal after Gabam’s name was removed. 

However, Gabam renewed his claim to the leadership of SDP with a judgment dated June 24.