The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has said no court removed Prof. Sadiq Gombe as the party’s National Chairman, stressing that his leadership has been ratified by its National Executive Committee (NEC).
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, while addressing concerns over alleged leadership disputes within the party.
Aiyenigba clarified that there were no court cases regarding SDP’s leadership, stating that the only disputes were the ones that arose from the recent Ekiti and Osun primaries.
He said that the cases were filed by the aspirants who were dissatisfied with the process.
The SDP spokesman stated that a former national chairman of the party, Shehu Gabam, was neither a party to the suits nor mentioned at any stage of proceedings or judgment.
He added that nowhere in the judgment was the former chairman referred to as the party’s national chairman.
Aiyenigba said that the case strictly addressed the Ekiti governorship primary, while Gabam’s subsequent application to join the suit was dismissed by the court.
He explained that the court also ruled that political party leadership issues remained internal affairs beyond judicial jurisdiction, reinforcing the dismissal of claims brought by dissatisfied primary election plaintiffs.
Aiyenigba stated that Gabam was no longer an SDP member, having been suspended, investigated for alleged financial misconduct and eventually expelled with NEC ratification in March.
He said that Gabam was facing criminal proceedings over alleged misappropriation of party funds and abuse of office.
According to him, Gombe remains the SDP national chairman, with the party’s leadership structure intact and functioning without any disruption.
“INEC monitored the NEC meeting with a six-member team, observing proceedings throughout and submitting an official report to the electoral commission afterward.
“The national working committee assured members and stakeholders that SDP remains stable. We urge the public to disregard concerns and remain confident in the party’s direction,” he said.
Aiyenigba stated that the party remained focused on producing credible candidates capable of winning the 2027 general elections.
He said that the party was strengthening its structures nationwide, expanding membership through ongoing electronic registration and collaborating with political and socio-cultural groups for national development.
The spokesman added that the party was positioning itself as a credible national platform capable of driving a broad-based movement for political change across the country.
