ABUJA — The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court judgment which recognised the expelled Shehu Gabam as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
A three-member panel of the appellate court, comprising Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan and L.A. Ganiyu, delivered a unanimous judgment on Wednesday.
In the lead judgment, Justice Umaru declared the decision of Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026 null and void.
The judgment followed an appeal filed by the SDP leadership led by Prof. Abubakar Gombe against the Federal High Court ruling recognising Gabam as the party’s National Chairman.
The Court of Appeal held that the foundation upon which the Federal High Court decision was based was defective, noting that the Supreme Court had previously ruled in favour of the Gombe-led leadership.
Speaking after the judgment, SDP presidential candidate and counsel to the appellants, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the appellate court ruled unanimously in favour of the party on all six applications before it.
Adebayo said the court nullified the Federal High Court judgment because it conflicted with an earlier Supreme Court decision delivered on May 22, 2026.
He added that the Court of Appeal also affirmed the nomination of Dr Francis Ajala as the SDP governorship candidate for Osun State.
According to him, the Federal High Court erred by entertaining the case challenging Ajala’s nomination.
Adebayo described the latest judgment as the conclusion of the prolonged legal battle over the leadership of the party, saying it had provided clarity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The judiciary has done very well for Nigeria and has guided INEC very well,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the ruling had finally resolved the leadership dispute within the SDP.
Also speaking, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, commended the judiciary for what he described as the speedy resolution of the matter.
Gombe urged INEC to respect the internal affairs of registered political parties, particularly decisions relating to the selection of candidates.
He also commended Adebayo for leading the party’s legal team and thanked the judiciary for its contribution to strengthening democracy.
Gombe appreciated the media for its coverage of the prolonged dispute and urged journalists to continue enlightening Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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