By Abimbola Ajayi
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Gombe, has said the leadership of a political party is determined by its internal organs and not by information displayed on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) portal.
Gombe stated this on Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the INEC headquarters in Abuja after a meeting between the electoral commission and leaders of political parties.
His comments followed questions on why the name of former SDP National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, was still reflected on INEC’s portal despite the party’s claim that he had been expelled.
“The INEC portal does not determine who is the chairman of a political party. The party itself, through its constitutional organs, determines its leadership,” Mr Gombe said.
He argued that the Supreme Court had consistently held that issues relating to party leadership, discipline and internal administration fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of political parties.
According to him, the SDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) remain the party’s recognised decision-making organs.
Gombe said the party’s NWC, originally made up of 15 members, now consists of 11 members following disciplinary actions taken against four officials.
“One of them, the National Auditor, resigned and apologised to the party. The remaining three, including Shehu Gabam, were expelled after a disciplinary process in which they were given a fair hearing,” he said.
He alleged that the affected officials failed to appear before the disciplinary committee and did not utilise the party’s internal appeal mechanisms after their expulsion.
Citing Article 19(c) of the SDP Constitution, Mr Gombe said aggrieved members have five working days to challenge disciplinary sanctions.
“None of them appealed their expulsion in accordance with the party constitution, nor did they obtain any court order setting aside the decision,” he said.
Gombe displayed the certified true copies of a Supreme Court judgment and an INEC report relating to the party’s leadership and expressed confidence that the electoral commission would act in accordance with the law.
He also welcomed remarks by INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, on the commission’s commitment to the rule of law and respect for the internal affairs of political parties.
On whether the party would consider reconciling with the expelled members, Gombe said the SDP remained open to accepting back members who showed remorse.
“If a child repents and realises his mistakes, there is nothing wrong with forgiving him. As leaders, we cannot permanently shut the door against people who are willing to make amends,” he said.
Gombe also commented on reports that INEC had appealed a Federal High Court judgment relating to election timelines.
While acknowledging the commission’s constitutional right to seek judicial review, he questioned the necessity of the appeal.
“In my view, there is no need for the appeal. The judgment gives political parties more time to prepare for elections and campaigns and reduces the risk of candidates or parties being unfairly excluded from the electoral process,” he said.
The dispute over the SDP’s leadership comes amid ongoing internal disagreements within the party, with rival factions laying claim to its national structure.
