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) that challenged the SDP’s leadership and awarded N2 million in 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 had compelled INEC to recognize and include SDP candidates in by‑elections across twelve states. The apex court described INEC’s appeal as lacking merit and purely academic. Acting National Chairman Sadiq Gombe welcomed the ruling, calling it a major triumph for democracy and the rule of law. He said the decision reaffirmed that internal party matters are for parties to determine and urged INEC to fully comply, allowing parties to manage their internal processes in line with their constitutions. Gombe also called on parties to uphold internal discipline and due process.
SDP lead counsel Adewole Adebayo emphasized that the judgment sends a clear warning to INEC to refrain from actions that could undermine Nigeria’s multi‑party democracy. He maintained that the SDP has 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. INEC, however, refused to recognize him and dealt instead with a chairman the party had already removed. The courts ultimately ruled that INEC had no authority to intervene, 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 and signals judicial intolerance for undue interference by regulatory institutions in internal party affairs. The SDP warned that democracy would be imperiled if opposition parties were weakened through institutional meddling, emphasizing the need for genuine choices in Nigerian politics. This judgment is significant not only for the SDP but for all political parties in Nigeria, as it affirms the Supreme Court’s longstanding position on internal party matters. The SDP has called on INEC to cease interfering 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 far‑reaching implications for the country’s multi‑party system.
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