The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has hailed a recent Supreme Court judgment as a significant victory for democracy, party autonomy, and the rule of law. The court dismissed an appeal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) challenging the SDP’s leadership, awarding N2m costs against the commission. The ruling reaffirms the long-standing legal position that internal party affairs are beyond external interference.
The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision upheld the October 17 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which compelled INEC to recognize and include SDP candidates in by-elections across 12 states. The court described INEC’s appeal as lacking merit and purely academic. The SDP welcomed the ruling, describing it as a major victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Acting National Chairman of the SDP, Sadiq Gombe, stated that the apex court’s decision reaffirmed the principle that internal party affairs are for parties to determine. He urged INEC to fully comply with the judgment, allowing parties to manage their internal processes in line with their constitutions. Gombe also called on parties to uphold internal discipline and due process.
The SDP’s lead counsel, Adewole Adebayo, emphasized that the judgment sent a clear warning to INEC to refrain from actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. Adebayo maintained that the SDP had no leadership crisis, with its national officers, including the National Chairman and National Secretary, validly in office.
The dispute arose after the party appointed an Acting National Chairman, who wrote to INEC to nominate candidates. However, INEC declined to recognize this, instead dealing with a chairman already removed by the party. The courts ultimately ruled that INEC had no such powers, with the Court of Appeal affirming the SDP’s right to change its leadership.
The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces the principle of party supremacy, signaling judicial intolerance for undue interference by regulatory institutions in internal party affairs. The SDP noted that democracy would be imperiled if opposition parties were weakened through institutional interference, emphasizing the need for real choices in Nigerian politics.
The judgment is significant, not only for the SDP but for all political parties in Nigeria, as it affirms the long-standing position of the Supreme Court on internal party affairs. The SDP has called on INEC to stop meddling in the internal affairs of political parties and to recognize the duly appointed Acting National Chairman. The ruling is seen as a major victory for democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria, with implications for the country’s multi-party system.
