The acting National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, has formally taken charge of the party’s leadership, riding on the back of a decisive Supreme Court victory over the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Prof. Gombe assumed office on Friday, December 19, at the SDP national secretariat in Abuja, just hours after the apex court dismissed INEC’s appeal against the party’s leadership structure.
He described the judgment as a landmark not only for the SDP but for the entire party system and Nigeria’s democracy.
In his address, he said the ruling was “not only a victory for SDP but for all political parties in Nigeria,” adding that it underscored the importance of the courts as protectors of rights and due process.
“Today(Friday) is a historic day, not only for SDP and the political parties in Nigeria but also for democracy, our entire electoral process, and the rule of law.
“What we are witnessing Today at his honorable Court of highest jurisdiction has demonstrated that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and institutions alike that seek for justice, equity, and fairness,” he said.
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Prof. Gombe urged INEC to fully accept the outcome and align its actions with the law rather than administrative preferences.
“I therefore enjoin INEC to take this decision with clarity of purpose and accept that only the constitution of Nigeria, the electorate act, and the constitutions of the political parties remain supreme over any administrative consideration or convenience,” he said.
He warned the commission to stay away from SDP’s internal affairs and to stop recognising individuals the party has sanctioned.
“Stop meddling in the internal affairs of political parties, as this has long been decided and settled by the honorable Supreme Court.
“That INEC stop any dealing whatsoever with suspended or expelled members of the party
“That INEC immediately remove the name of suspended and expelled National Chairman Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabiam and accordingly replace him with the duly recognized Ag National Chairman by the NWC, Dr Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe,” he stated.
His comments came shortly after the Supreme Court dismissed INEC’s appeal against the SDP leadership as lacking in merit, effectively affirming the party’s current national executives.