The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has cancelled the Federal High Court judgment that recognised Shehu Gabam as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
A three-member panel of the appellate court, in a unanimous decision delivered on Wednesday, declared the lower court’s judgment null and void.
The panel was made up of Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan and L.A. Ganiyu.
In the lead judgment, Justice Umaru set aside the decision of Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026, which had recognised Gabam as the party’s National Chairman.
The judgment followed an appeal filed by the SDP leadership led by Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe against the Federal High Court decision.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the basis of the lower court’s judgment was flawed because the Supreme Court had earlier ruled in favour of the Gombe-led faction.
Speaking after the judgment, the SDP presidential candidate and counsel to the appellants, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the appellate court ruled unanimously in favour of the party in all six applications before it.
Adebayo said the Court of Appeal cancelled the Federal High Court judgment because it was inconsistent with an earlier Supreme Court decision delivered on May 22, 2026.
He added that the appellate court also affirmed the nomination of Dr Francis Ajala as the SDP governorship candidate for the Osun State election.
According to him, the Federal High Court made a mistake by entertaining the suit challenging Ajala’s nomination.
Adebayo said the judgment had ended the long legal battle over the leadership of the SDP.
He praised the judiciary for resolving the dispute and providing clarity to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The judiciary has done very well for Nigeria and has guided INEC very well,” Adebayo said.
He said he was confident that the appellate court’s decision had finally resolved the leadership crisis in the party.
Also speaking, the SDP National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, praised the judiciary for what he described as the speedy resolution of the dispute.
Gombe urged INEC to respect the internal affairs of registered political parties, especially decisions concerning the selection and nomination of candidates.
He also praised Adebayo for leading the party’s legal team and thanked the judiciary for helping to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Gombe further thanked the media for reporting the prolonged dispute and urged journalists to continue educating the public on the importance of free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
