Court of Appeal Overturns FHC Ruling Recognising Gabam as SDP Chairman

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has overturned the judgment of the Federal High Court which recognised Shehu Gabam as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

A three-member panel of the appellate court, comprising Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan and L.A. Ganiyu, unanimously set aside the lower court’s judgment in a ruling delivered on Wednesday.

In the lead judgment, Justice Umaru declared the decision of Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026 null and void.

The case arose from an appeal filed by the SDP leadership led by Prof Abubakar Sadiq Gombe against the Federal High Court judgment recognising Gabam as the party’s National Chairman.

The Court of Appeal held that the foundation upon which the Federal High Court reached its decision was faulty, noting that the Supreme Court had already determined the issue of the party’s leadership in favour of the Sadiq-led faction.

The judgment also has implications for the dispute over the SDP’s candidate for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

Speaking after the judgment, the party’s presidential candidate and counsel to the appellants, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the Court of Appeal had resolved six applications in favour of the SDP.

He said the appellate court specifically nullified the Federal High Court decision recognising Gabam because it conflicted with an earlier Supreme Court decision delivered on May 22, 2026.

“The judgment of the court recognising Shehu Gabam of the Federal High Court is null and void; it’s a nullity because it contradicts the decision earlier delivered by the Supreme Court,” Adebayo said.

He further said the appellate court affirmed that Dr Francis Ajala, having been nominated by the SDP as its governorship candidate in Osun State, was the party’s legitimate candidate for the election.

Adebayo argued that the Federal High Court ought not to have entertained the case seeking recognition of another candidate as the SDP flagbearer.

The SDP presidential candidate described the ruling as the culmination of a prolonged legal dispute over the leadership of the party, saying the judiciary had provided clarity for both the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He expressed confidence that the leadership crisis had been brought to an end.

“You will never hear of any leadership dispute in the SDP for the next 100 years. That is over and settled,” Adebayo said.

He added that the party would now focus on its political campaign and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The SDP National Chairman, Prof Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, also commended the judiciary for what he described as the speedy resolution of the dispute.

Gombe urged INEC to respect the internal affairs of all registered political parties, particularly their decisions on leadership and candidate selection.

He said the commission should not only respect the SDP but also the internal decisions of all 22 registered political parties.

The party chairman thanked the judiciary for expediting the case, noting that the latest decision had broader implications for democratic practice.

He also commended Adebayo and members of the legal team for their role in defending the party’s position.

Gombe thanked INEC for reproducing the Osun governorship election ballot papers to include Ajala before the latest appellate court judgment.

The electoral commission had earlier announced that Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, had been included on the ballot for Saturday’s Osun governorship election, following an earlier Federal High Court order.

The inclusion brought the number of political parties contesting the election to 15.

The latest Court of Appeal decision now further strengthens the position of the Sadiq-led SDP and its Osun candidate, coming just days before the governorship poll.

Gombe also appealed to the media to continue informing voters on developments within the political system and contribute to credible elections.

He said the SDP would work towards strengthening democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.