2027: Why INEC restored me as SDP National Chairman – Gombe

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, has explained why the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, updated its portal to reflect his leadership and that of other members of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, ahead of 2027 general elections.

Speaking with journalists on Monday in Abuja, Gombe said INEC restored his name and those of other NWC members on its portal after conducting a thorough review of documents and decisions submitted by the party.

According to him, the electoral body requested details relating to the party’s convention, disciplinary actions, appointments, elections of the National Working Committee, presidential candidate, and other candidates before arriving at its decision.

He further attributed INEC’s decision to the party’s commitment to due process.

“Then on the 10th of this month, the INEC Commission requested the details of our convention and all other decisions of the National Working Committee in respect of the disciplinary measure and in respect of our appointments and in respect of our elections of the party National Working Committee and the presidential candidate and all other candidates across the board.

“So INEC, after that review, they now come to the conclusion through an extract of the commission—of the commission that reaffirms our leadership as the authentic leadership of the party and return.

*Even then, on 10th June 2026, after that, it took them almost one week before they now re-load our name on their portal as the substantive leaders of the party, with my name as the national chairman of the party and all the other members of the National Working Committee,” he said.

Gombe said the development demonstrated the importance of following due process in resolving political disputes and urged other political parties to remain committed to lawful procedures.

“So, this, I think, I want to use this opportunity to call all other political parties—sister political parties alike in Nigeria—to remain resolute, committed, and silent in whatever they are doing and follow due process. Because it’s only due process that led us to where we are today. If not, we follow due process, we remain committed, we remain patient, and we diligently follow our case; that is why we are where we are.

“And I want to assure you that today in Nigeria, the SDP stands out as the best party with the best lessons to be learned by all political parties, INEC, and the judiciary, because we follow due process in whatever we are doing. And that is why we are where we are today.”

He also appealed to Nigerians and party members to remain confident in the SDP, describing it as a credible alternative capable of producing quality leadership for the country.

“And I want to use this opportunity, in between the lines, for members of the party we have put into this array and a lot of doubts and negative perspectives about the party; I want to call on all Nigerians. The party remains the ideological party that they knew.

“The party remains resolute to usher in credible candidates at all levels to be presented for Nigeria. The party is that alternative that Nigerians are yearning and aspiring and waiting for. And I want to assure you that we are not going to let you down,” he told journalists at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Recall that INEC recently updated its portal, listing Gombe as the SDP National Chairman and removing the name of Shehu Gabam.

2027: Why INEC restored me as SDP National Chairman – Gombe