SDP reaffirms Shehu Gabam’s expulsion after meeting with INEC

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Social Democratic Party National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, on Monday insisted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) decision expelling former chairman, Shehu Gabam, remains valid and binding.

Gombe stated this after a closed-door meeting between party leaders and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja. The meeting, convened by INEC, formed part of efforts to resolve the lingering leadership crisis within the SDP ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

According to Gombe, the party attended the engagement out of respect for INEC and in response to its invitation for an alternative dispute resolution process. He disclosed that 11 members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), alongside other stakeholders, participated in the meeting.

Gombe said the NEC had earlier ratified the current NWC leadership and approved the suspension and eventual expulsion of Gabam.

He added that the NEC meeting was duly communicated to INEC and monitored by its officials, while certified true copies of the proceedings were also submitted to the electoral body.

“We are here because of the respect we have for INEC and to honour its invitation for alternative dispute resolution, but we made it categorically clear that the SDP has the constitutional authority to manage its internal affairs,” he said.

Gombe explained that the disciplinary action against Gabam followed allegations bordering on corruption, mismanagement, and breach of the party’s constitution as well as the Electoral Act.

Citing Article 19(C) of the party’s constitution, he argued that any disciplined member has five working days to appeal through internal party mechanisms.

According to him, Gabam neither exhausted the internal appeal process nor approached a competent court within the stipulated period.

“From the day the NEC ratified his expulsion, he ceased to be a member of the party. He did not exhaust the internal mechanisms provided by the constitution,” Gombe stated.

He also dismissed claims that party leadership recognition could be determined through the INEC portal, insisting that political parties retain constitutional powers over their internal administration and leadership affairs.

Gombe further clarified that the matter before the Supreme Court originated from a suit filed by an SDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State and had no connection with the party’s national leadership structure.

He maintained that no court order could override resolutions passed by the NEC on internal party administration.

“The NEC is the administrative organ responsible for the day-to-day running of the party, and its decisions remain binding,” he said.

Gombe also expressed surprise over claims that some correspondences relating to suspensions and expulsions were not received by INEC.

“We have duly acknowledged copies of all correspondence submitted to INEC, and these documents were again presented during the meeting,” he added.

The SDP chairman said the party had already conducted its national convention and presidential primary ahead of the 2027 elections in compliance with the Electoral Act and the Constitution.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to credible democratic processes and urged INEC to remain impartial as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.

The crisis within the SDP escalated after allegations of financial mismanagement and constitutional breaches were levelled against Gabam, leading to his suspension and eventual expulsion by a faction of the NEC.

However, supporters of the former chairman have continued to challenge the process, insisting that due process was not followed.

The leadership dispute has also triggered legal battles and conflicting claims over the party’s authentic leadership recognition by INEC.