The Supreme Court has brought another phase of the Social Democratic Party’s leadership dispute to a close, dismissing an appeal filed by Shehu Gabam.
The decision leaves Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe as the party’s National Chairman.
A five-member panel headed by Justice Adamu Jauro ruled on the matter on Wednesday in Abuja. Other members of the panel were Justices Haruna Tsammani, A.A. Adumein, Jonah Adah and Joseph Oyewole.
The apex court dismissed the appeal after holding that the matter no longer presented a live issue for determination.
The dispute had previously gone before the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal before arriving at the Supreme Court.
Speaking after the proceedings, the SDP presidential candidate and counsel to the party, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the ruling had effectively ended Gabam’s claim in the leadership matter.
He said, “The Supreme Court said that there is no life in the case and dismissed the case. That is the end of Shehu Gabam. There is nothing about the SDP leadership crisis coming up again.”
Adebayo explained that Gabam had already been removed from the party and had not challenged the decision. He said the case that eventually reached the courts was filed by another member who sought recognition for Gabam.
According to him, the SDP subsequently challenged the Federal High Court ruling at the Court of Appeal, which overturned the earlier decision.
“We argued the case that the Court of Appeal should correct that judge, and the Court of Appeal set aside the judgment.”
The development comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the SDP also involved in separate legal proceedings concerning its dealings with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Adebayo said two other cases involving the party and INEC remained pending before the Supreme Court. He said they relate to the commission’s timetable for political parties, particularly the time allowed for candidate nomination and substitution.
He maintained that the suits were filed to clarify the extent of INEC’s powers and not because the SDP was unable to meet the electoral timetable.
“The reason we brought the case to court is not that we, particularly SDP, are not able to cope with the timetable. It is to limit the abuse of the electoral process by INEC.”
He further argued that INEC must operate within the limits set by the law.
Gombe, while reacting to the judgment, described the ruling as significant for the SDP and democratic governance.
“This is a victory not only for the SDP, but a victory for democracy,” he said.
The party chairman said its repeated court appearances should be viewed as part of its broader position on protecting democratic principles.
“Whenever you see the SDP in any of the courts, either the Federal, the Court of Appeal, or here (apex court), we are always here in defence of democracy, not just in defence of SDP as a party.”
