The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday affirmed the leadership of the Social Democratic Party following a comprehensive verification exercise conducted ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- +INEC affirms SDP leadership after nationwide structure, membership verification
The exercise, which forms part of regulatory checks required of registered political parties, is aimed at ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions, internal governance standards, and nationwide spread as Nigeria’s electoral cycle gradually gathers momentum.
The exercise, which forms part of regulatory checks required of registered political parties, is aimed at ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions, internal governance standards, and nationwide spread as Nigeria’s electoral cycle gradually gathers momentum.
SDP National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, disclosed the outcome at a press conference held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja shortly after the verification was concluded.
Addressing journalists, Gombe said an 11-man delegation from INEC undertook an extensive review of the party’s structures, including its National Executive Committee, National Working Committee and administrative framework.
According to him, the process went beyond routine documentation, involving physical identification of party leaders, scrutiny of financial records, assessment of staff strength and responsibilities, and confirmation of the party’s presence across the federation in line with legal requirements.
He said, “It was an eleven-member team of the INEC team that came for the verification exercise at SDP headquarters today (Tuesday). As you are aware, one of the requirements for registering a political party is that it must have a presence in at least two-thirds of the states of the federation.
“So, INEC came to verify the membership of our NEC to see them physically and engage with them as well as the members of the National Working Committee,” he stated.
Gombe further revealed that INEC officials examined both electronic and hard copy versions of the party’s membership register, alongside documentation relating to its headquarters and financial operations.
“We had full representation of our NEC members, including state chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This demonstrates our unity and compliance with the law,” he said.
The verification comes amid heightened political realignments and internal contests across parties as stakeholders position themselves ahead of the next general elections. Within this context, the SDP leadership has sought to project stability and legal backing for its current structure.
On internal matters, the SDP chairman stressed that decisions by the party’s NEC remain binding, citing Supreme Court rulings upholding the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.
Gombe maintained that the current leadership emerged from a duly constituted NEC meeting held in March 2025, with INEC representatives present, adding that the apex court has consistently reinforced the principle that internal party disputes are for parties to resolve.
The SDP leader also commended state and zonal leaders for their support, noting that the party’s ongoing membership registration drive has recorded encouraging participation nationwide.
“We are not taking anything for granted. We remain committed to the growth of the party and the progress of our democracy,” he said.
Gombe’s emergence as chairman followed a protracted leadership tussle within the party, which was eventually resolved after the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal filed by INEC, clearing the way for the current leadership to consolidate its hold.
