WorldStage– The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the Court of Appeal judgment that recognized Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The ruling effectively nullifies the appellate court decision that had validated Gabam’s recognition, returning the leadership dispute within the SDP to a fresh legal and administrative uncertainty.
The case forms part of a prolonged internal crisis within the SDP, involving competing leadership claims and multiple court interpretations over the legitimacy of the party’s national executive structure.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had previously dismissed an earlier suit challenging the party’s leadership, while the Court of Appeal later intervened, holding that key aspects of the lower court’s pronouncements were made without jurisdiction.
Following the appellate decision, INEC updated its records in April 2026 to reflect Shehu Gabam as National Chairman and Olu Agunloye as National Secretary, with annotations indicating court backing for the listing.
In its decision, the apex court overturned the appellate ruling, effectively removing Gabam from the leadership position amidst a fierce and prolonged party leadership tussle.
The Court of Appeal had previously set aside a Federal High Court decision and recognized the Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC), which prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update its portal in April 2026 listing Gabam as chairman.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed the legal arguments supporting that appellate intervention, citing defects and upholding the challenge against Gabam’s leadership structure.
The leadership dispute primarily features Shehu Gabam against Professor Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, whose faction has consistently claimed legitimacy and affirmed Gabam’s previous suspension and expulsion from the party.
The apex court’s ruling follows a highly tumultuous period for the embattled politician. Just days prior to the Supreme Court verdict, Shehu Gabam was arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court over a six-count criminal charge filed by a rival party faction.
The charges include forgery, breach of trust, financial misappropriation of over ₦35 million belonging to the SDP.
Gabam pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and was granted bail in the sum of ₦3 million, with the trial scheduled to resume on May 25, 2026.
The Supreme Court’s latest intervention strips Gabam of his judicial backing, shifting the control of the SDP’s national leadership structure back into intense legal and administrative scrutiny.
The Supreme Court’s latest decision has now upended that position, effectively invalidating the legal foundation that supported INEC’s recognition.
The judgment is expected to trigger immediate administrative and political consequences for the SDP, particularly regarding its internal leadership structure, ongoing party administration, and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The dispute also revives questions around the status of rival leadership claims within the party, including the faction associated with Sadiq Gombe, whose recognition had been a point of contention throughout the litigation process.
Political observers say the ruling could further complicate the SDP’s internal cohesion at a time when opposition parties are seeking stronger alignment ahead of the next electoral cycle.INEC is yet to issue a formal update following the Supreme Court decision.
