The Social Democratic Party on Wednesday fixed May 9 for its national convention in Bauchi State, defying the Independent National Electoral Commission amid a festering leadership dispute.
The embattled National Chairman of the party, Prof Sadiq Gombe, announced the date for the convention and nationwide congresses at a press conference in Abuja.
Among other things, Gombe insisted that the party would not be distracted by the controversy surrounding its leadership.
He said, “As you can see, we have 11 of our 12-member National Working Committee here today. They have spent the last two weeks preparing for the activities of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
“So, the party can’t be distracted. We are focused, and our eyes are on the ball.
“This is arguably one of the few parties around that resolve all its issues internally in line with the Electoral Act and the constitution of the land.
“While other opposition leaders are abandoning their parties over conflicts and crises, we in the SDP remain and sort out our problems.
“We use this opportunity to invite you to our congresses nationwide and also to our national convention coming up on May 9 in Bauchi State.”
Also speaking, the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, faulted INEC’s recognition of Shehu Gabam as national chairman, describing it as an overreach.
“In this particular case (recognition of Gabam as national chairman), INEC erred. There is nothing in the rules and guidelines which says INEC can determine the chairman of a party.
“There is also nothing in the Electoral Act 2026 that states INEC can determine who heads a party. The same thing goes for the constitution of Nigeria.
“You will recall that Gabam was suspended and expelled since June 2025, and INEC kept his name on its website all along. This man you are looking at (Gombe) did not become chairman of the SDP through any court order.
“He was deputy national chairman (North), and by Article 32(2) of the SDP constitution, he assumed the position of acting chairman because Gabam was expelled for fraud, misappropriation, malfeasance, disobedience and breach of the constitution of the party,” he stated.
The development comes three days after the party’s National Working Committee rejected INEC’s recognition of Gabam as its national chairman, describing the move as unconstitutional and an intrusion into its internal affairs.
INEC had updated its official website to list Gabam as the party’s national chairman alongside other National Working Committee members, with the inscription “By Court Order.”
The action followed a March 27, 2026, judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which affirmed Gabam as the authentic national chairman in a dispute arising from the Ekiti State governorship primary.
In the ruling delivered by a three-member panel in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/126/2026, filed by Fayemi Babatunde, the court upheld Gabam’s leadership and dismissed claims that the party executives who conducted the primary lacked legal backing.
Following the judgment, INEC updated its portal to reflect the SDP leadership structure, naming Gabam as national chairman and Agunloye as national secretary, alongside other members of the National Working Committee.