Gombe SDP Chairman Reclaims Secretariat

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The long‑standing leadership dispute that had unsettled the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for almost a year appears to have ended yesterday when the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, officially took control of the national secretariat in Abuja after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized his leadership.

This development followed just over a week after INEC updated its records to acknowledge Gombe and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), thereby ending months of uncertainty, court battles and competing claims to the opposition party’s leadership.

Speaking to journalists shortly after assuming the secretariat, Gombe described the moment as a vindication of due process, constitutional order and internal democracy, asserting that the party’s actions during the crisis had been guided by its constitution and upheld by the courts.

He said, “Today is a great day for all of us. It is significant because it comes almost exactly one year after the National Working Committee, acting within the powers granted to it by the party’s constitution, took disciplinary action against some erring members.”

“It is only due process that brought us to where we are today. We remained patient and committed, and we followed the law diligently. That is why we are here.”

According to him, the crisis began when the NWC suspended and later sanctioned members accused of misconduct after investigations by a disciplinary committee.

He explained that the committee’s recommendations were reviewed by a White Paper Committee before final decisions were made in accordance with the party’s constitution.

Gombe stressed that all affected members were given adequate opportunities to defend themselves throughout the process.

“We followed due process from the beginning. We relied on the provisions of our constitution, respected the rights of all members, and allowed the courts to determine the issues. Today, that commitment has been vindicated,” he said.

The SDP chairman maintained that the judiciary consistently upheld the principle that political parties possess the constitutional authority to regulate their internal affairs.

Citing a Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 19, 2025, in relation to the party’s Ekiti State governorship dispute, Gombe said the apex court reaffirmed that decisions taken by a political party are binding on its members.

“The Supreme Court made it clear that decisions taken by the party are binding on members and that political parties have exclusive powers to regulate their internal affairs,” he stated.

He added that despite these judicial victories, the party had continued to face challenges in securing official recognition from INEC until the electoral commission eventually reviewed its records and restored the names of the recognised leadership.

“The Commission’s action has effectively settled all disputes regarding the leadership of our party and confirmed the legitimacy of the current National Working Committee,” he said.

In a conciliatory tone, Gombe extended an olive branch to members affected by the crisis, assuring them that reconciliation remained central to the party’s rebuilding efforts.

“The SDP remains one united family. As leaders and as parents, we understand that people can make mistakes. Our doors remain open to all members willing to work for the progress of the party and the nation,” he said.

Gombe further urged members to put the crisis behind them and focus on national development and preparations for future elections.

“We have no other country except Nigeria. The responsibility of rebuilding it belongs to all of us. With commitment, diligence, and the fear of God, Nigeria can take its rightful place in Africa and the Black world,” he added.

Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Gombe declared that the resolution of the crisis had positioned the SDP to play a more prominent role in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The SDP is back, stronger and more united. We are ready to provide the leadership Nigerians deserve and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he declared.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, had earlier announced that INEC’s recognition of the Gombe‑led leadership followed compliance with Supreme Court judgments.