INEC Portal Cannot Decide SDP Leadership Dispute — Gombe

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, has said that the INEC portal does not determine who leads a political party, stressing that leadership remains the exclusive responsibility of the party itself.

Speaking with journalists after INEC’s consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja on Tuesday, Gombe cited Supreme Court judgments affirming that internal party affairs remain outside INEC’s control.

“The issue is not about the INEC portal. It is about the party itself. The party has organs that regulate its day-to-day running,” he said.

He explained that the SDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is the principal executing organ, followed by the National Working Committee (NWC), which handles daily operations.

“The NWC currently has 11 members after four were disciplined, while the National Auditor resigned and tendered an apology. Three others, including Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, were expelled,” he added.

According to Gombe, the expulsions followed due process through a disciplinary committee where those affected were given a fair hearing.

He said the trio refused to participate in the process and failed to appeal within five working days, as required under Article 19 of the party constitution.

The SDP chairman stated that the NEC, as the highest implementing organ with a mandate from the National Convention, took the decision to expel the members.

He thanked Nigerians and the media for their commitment to democracy, good governance, and the independence of political parties.

Gombe also expressed confidence in INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to respect party autonomy.

“We are happy that the INEC chairman reiterated their commitment to the rule of law and respect for parties’ internal affairs. We have good days ahead,” he stated.

Similarly, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced at the meeting that the Commission would issue access codes to political parties on June 26 to enable them upload details of candidates who emerged from party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He stressed that the codes would provide access to INEC’s dedicated portal in line with the electoral timetable.

Amupitan also raised concerns over rising intra-party litigations, describing them as a major distraction to preparations for the 2027 elections.

He urged political parties to adhere strictly to electoral laws and resolve disputes internally, stressing that credible elections depend on stakeholders upholding due process.

For his part, IPAC Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, called for a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act 2026, saying the exclusion of indirect primaries created financial, logistical, and legal difficulties for parties during the recently concluded primaries.

Dantalle urged the National Assembly to amend the law to give political parties flexibility in choosing their nomination methods.

He argued that democratic participation and transparency are better served when parties are allowed to determine their candidate selection processes without rigid constraints.