By Musa Ibrahim, Abuja
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what it described as a “fundamental error” in handling internal party affairs, insisting the commission lacks constitutional authority to determine or impose party leadership.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the SDP National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, said INEC had no legal basis to interfere in the internal structure of political parties, stressing that such actions fall outside its statutory mandate.
Gombe, who faulted recent administrative actions and listings by the commission affecting the party, dismissed insinuations of a leadership crisis within the SDP and reaffirmed its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
He warned that persistent interference in party matters could threaten democratic stability, stating: “Our message is simple: INEC must respect the limits of its authority. Political parties are not extensions of the commission.”
Maintaining that there is no legal backing for INEC to install party officials, Gombe said, “There is no court pronouncement anywhere giving INEC the power to install party chairmen. They cannot produce any such judgment.
“There is nothing in the Electoral Act that empowers INEC to determine who leads a political party. There is also nothing in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that gives INEC such authority. INEC has erred in this matter.”
The SDP chairman emphasised that leadership decisions within political parties are strictly internal and governed by party constitutions and democratic processes.
“Political parties are autonomous institutions. Our internal affairs are guided by our constitution and rules. INEC’s role is regulatory, not managerial,” he said.
Gombe further insisted that the party remained united despite external speculation and ongoing legal interpretations of its internal affairs, noting that its leadership structure was legitimate and derived from duly constituted party organs.
“We are fully in charge of our internal affairs. There is no crisis in the SDP. What we have are attempts by external forces to misrepresent our processes.
“Our National Working Committee is validly constituted. We are operating within the mandate given to us by the party’s National Convention.
“Some of these issues being amplified are distractions. But we are focused. Nobody can destabilise this party,” he added.
He stressed that the party would continue to resolve disputes through its internal mechanisms rather than external intervention.
“We resolve our issues internally, through our constitution and democratic procedures. We do not outsource our internal discipline,” he said.
On preparations for the 2027 polls, Gombe disclosed that the party had commenced mobilisation efforts and would soon begin its congresses, to be followed by a national convention.
“We are going into the 2027 elections as a united party. Our congresses will commence soon, followed by our national convention. We are prepared at all levels,” he said.
Describing the SDP as a platform driven by ideology and discipline, Gombe added: “We are not a party of convenience. We are principled, focused, and committed to national renewal and democratic governance.”
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