By Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, Sept 17, 2026
ABUJA — The protracted leadership dispute wrestling for the soul of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has finally been laid to rest after the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed the expulsion of former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, declaring that his removal followed due process.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel of justices led by Justice Adamu Jauro, the apex court upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal. The ruling effectively stamps the authority and national chairmanship of Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe as the substantive, authentic helmsman of the party.
The appeal at the Supreme Court was filed on behalf of the expelled chairman by Salawu Adeniyi Olaitan, the SDP candidate in the last Osun State governorship election.
Dismissing the appeal, the apex court held that the internal disciplinary measures taken by the party, which led to Gabam’s expulsion, met all legal requirements and adhered strictly to the SDP constitution. The panel affirmed that issues regarding party membership and internal leadership remain strictly within the domestic jurisdiction of political parties.
Background to the SDP Leadership Crisis
The leadership tussle in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) stems from a deep-seated internal factional crisis that created parallel structures and legal battles, threatening the party’s stability ahead of major election cycles.
Disciplinary Action & Internal Expulsion: The crisis escalated when the SDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC)—the party’s highest decision-making organ outside the national convention—suspended and investigated Shehu Gabam over alleged misconduct and anti-party activities.
Following his refusal to appear before a panel to defend himself during a two-week fair hearing window, the NEC ratified his complete expulsion from the party.
The High Court Intervention: Following his expulsion, legal challenges emerged at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and force the recognition of Gabam’s leadership.
A lower court ruling had briefly caused confusion by ordering INEC to recognize the Gabam-led faction, prompting INEC to temporarily adjust its official records.
Appellate Court Reversal: Dissatisfied with the lower court’s interference in internal party affairs, Professor Abubakar Gombe and the party’s leadership appealed the ruling.
The Court of Appeal subsequently set aside the lower court’s order, holding that courts lack the jurisdiction to impose leadership on a political party or override its constitutional internal mechanisms.
The Final Apex Verdict: Seeking to overturn the appellate court’s decision, allies of the expelled chairman took the battle to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court’s final dismissal of the appeal removes all legal ambiguities, officially erasing Gabam’s claims and solidifying Prof. Abubakar Gombe as the undisputed National Chairman of the SDP.
Reacting to the judgment, stakeholders within the SDP described the verdict as a victory for party autonomy, internal democracy, and the rule of law. With the legal battles resolved, the party says it can now fully focus on organizing its structures and preparing for upcoming national electoral contests.