SDP Says Gabam’s Expulsion Stands, Defends NEC Powers Before INEC

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Professor Sadiq Gombe, has insisted that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) validly expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, stressing that the decision remains binding on all party members.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja, Gombe said the party honoured the commission’s invitation for an alternative dispute resolution process out of respect for the electoral body.

According to him, 11 members of the SDP National Working Committee (NWC) and key stakeholders attended the engagement with INEC.

Gombe maintained that the party’s NEC meeting held on March 9, 2026, at Newtown Park Hotel and Resort lawfully ratified the appointments of the current NWC members and approved the suspension and expulsion of Gabam.

He said the meeting was duly communicated to INEC and monitored by officials of the commission, adding that certified true copies of the proceedings were formally submitted.

“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, as an institution, has the constitutional authority to manage its internal affairs,” he stated.

The SDP chairman said the disciplinary action against Gabam followed allegations bordering on corruption, mismanagement, criminal breach of the party constitution and violations of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Citing Article 19(C) of the party’s constitution, Gombe argued that any member subjected to disciplinary action has five working days to challenge such decisions through the party’s internal mechanisms.

He, however, claimed that Gabam neither explored the internal appeal process nor approached any 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 of the SDP,” he said.

On the legal tussle surrounding the crisis, Gombe clarified that the matter currently before the Supreme Court originated from a suit filed by an SDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State and does not concern the party’s national leadership structure.

He further insisted that no court order could invalidate resolutions reached by the NEC and ratified at the party’s convention on issues relating strictly to internal administration.

“The NEC is the administrative organ responsible for the day-to-day running of the party, and its decisions on party affairs remain binding,” he added.
Gombe also dismissed suggestions that leadership recognition could be determined through the INEC portal, insisting that political parties retain exclusive constitutional powers over their internal administration and leadership selection processes.

While describing the meeting with INEC officials as fruitful and constructive, the SDP chairman expressed surprise over claims allegedly made by the INEC Chairman that some correspondences relating to suspensions, expulsions and internal decisions were not communicated to the commission.

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

The party also said it had successfully conducted its national convention and presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general elections in line with the party constitution, the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to Gombe, the convention was broadcast live for Nigerians and the international community to observe.

He reaffirmed the SDP’s commitment to credible democratic processes and urged INEC to remain transparent and impartial ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are committed to free, fair and credible elections in 2027, and INEC must begin now to demonstrate that commitment through due process and transparency,” he added.