S’Court confirms Gombe SDP chair

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by Shehu Gabam regarding a leadership dispute within the Social Democratic Party (SDP), affirming Prof Sadiq Gombe as the party's National Chairman. The five-member panel, led by Justice Adamu Jauro and consisting of Justices Haruna Tsammani, A.A. Adumein, Jonah Adah, and Joseph Oyewole, dismissed the appeal as it had become irrelevant.

The SDP has faced a prolonged legal battle over the leadership, involving the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, and ultimately the Supreme Court. SDP National Chairman Sadiq Gombe praised the judgment, stating it was a victory for the party and democracy, emphasizing that the party's legal actions were driven by a commitment to democratic governance.

However, SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo viewed the appeal as having no merit, asserting that the ruling effectively ended Shehu Gabam's claim to the party's leadership. Adebayo also mentioned that two other cases involving the SDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remained before the Supreme Court, concerning the electoral commission's timetable and powers.