Supreme Court Nullifies Appeal Court Ruling Recognising Shehu Gabam as SDP Chairman

Supreme Court Nullifies Appeal Court Ruling Recognising Shehu Gabam as SDP Chairman

Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed a major twist on Friday as the Supreme Court set aside the Appeal Court judgment that had earlier recognised Shehu Gabam as National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, deepening the leadership crisis within the party.

The apex court’s decision overturned an earlier ruling relied upon by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in recognising Gabam’s leadership of the party, marking a significant development in the prolonged battle over the control and direction of the SDP.

The legal dispute is the latest chapter in an internal leadership crisis that has generated multiple court actions and rival claims within the party structure over recent months. Before the Supreme Court’s intervention, the Court of Appeal had affirmed Gabam as the authentic National Chairman, a decision that appeared to strengthen his position within the party

However, the Supreme Court’s latest ruling has now altered the political equation and reopened questions surrounding the party’s leadership arrangement and future direction.

The judgment is expected to have major implications for the SDP ahead of future political activities, especially as discussions around party structure, candidate selection, and preparations for upcoming elections continue to gather momentum.

Political observers believe the ruling could reshape internal alignments within the party and may trigger fresh reactions from different factions involved in the leadership struggle.
As of the time of this report, reactions from key stakeholders and party leaders are expected as members await further clarity on the next steps following the Supreme Court’s decision.