Court of Appeal nullifies FHC judgment recognising Gabam as SDP chairman

By Jude Opara

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the judgment of the Federal High Court (FHC) which had recognized the expelled Dr. Shehu Gabam as National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a unanimous judgement on Wednesday, the appellate court through a three- member panel comprising Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan and L.A. Ganiyu overruled the lower court.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Umaru declared null and void the judgment of Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026.

The judgment was after an appeal by the leadership of the SDP under Prof. Abubakar Gombe against the Federal High Court decision to recognize Gabam as the National Chairman of the party.

The Appeal Court decleared that the basis of the Federal High Court judgment was faulty, adding that the Supreme Court had earlier ruled on the matter in favour of Gombe led National Working Committee (NWC).

Reacting to the judgement, the SDP presidential candidate and counsel to the petitioners, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the Court of Appeal unanimously ruled in favour of the party in all six applications considered.

Adebayo said the court declared the Federal High Court judgment recognising Gabam null and void because it contradicted an earlier Supreme Court decision delivered on May 22, 2026.

He further revealed that the appellate court also affirmed the nomination of Dr. Francis Ajala as the SDP governorship candidate for forthcoming August 15 election in Osun state.

According to him, the Federal High Court erred by entertaining the suit challenging Ajala’s nomination.

Adebayo said the judgement brings to an end the prolonged legal tussle over the leadership of the oldest political party in the country.

The SDP leader commended the judiciary for resolving the dispute and providing clarity to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The judiciary has done very well for Nigeria and has guided INEC very well,” he said.

The party’s flag bearer expressed confidence that the judgment had brought an end to the leadership dispute within the SDP.

Also in his remarks, National Chairman of the party, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, commended the judiciary for the speedy resolution of the case.

Gombe then urged INEC to respect the internal affairs of all registered political parties, particularly their decisions on the selection of candidates.

He also commended Prince Adebayo for leading the party’s legal team and thanked the judiciary for what he described as its role in strengthening the nation’s democracy.