The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has successfully regained control of its national headquarters in Abuja, effectively ending a lengthy period of internal leadership turbulence. National Chairman Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe led NWC members to the facility on Monday, declaring that judicial decisions and official acknowledgment from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have confirmed his administration’s legitimacy.
Gombe stated that the conclusion of this dispute represents a vital transition for the party, following twelve months of legal challenges and internal restructuring. He emphasized that the party followed rigorous constitutional standards, including comprehensive investigations and fair hearings, before issuing sanctions to certain members. According to the chairman, Supreme Court rulings—specifically one from December 2025—reinforced the principle that political parties maintain the authority to manage their own internal operations.
The leadership crisis saw initial friction with INEC, which had previously questioned the party’s correspondence. However, subsequent court verdicts and a supervised National Executive Committee meeting in March 2026 led to the formal ratification of the current NWC. The party later conducted a national convention in Bauchi on May 9, 2026, officially nominating Adewole Adebayo as its presidential candidate for 2027. Following a final Supreme Court ruling on May 22, 2026, INEC updated its records to reflect Gombe as the recognized chairman.
Expressing a desire for unity, Gombe offered reconciliation to former rivals, provided they align with the party’s collective goals. He concluded by thanking the judiciary and electoral officials for their roles in upholding the rule of law, noting that the party is now focused on its vision for national development.
