The Social Democratic Party has taken legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission over the Commission’s refusal to recognise its candidates for the upcoming by-elections scheduled across 12 states.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, condemned INEC’s stance as an overreach, asserting that the affected candidates emerged from validly conducted party primaries.
“The SDP is already challenging INEC’s decision in court. We trust the judiciary to do justice by compelling the Commission to admit the SDP’s candidates, as they were validly nominated in accordance with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC regulations,” Aiyenigba said.
The party further accused INEC of undermining the autonomy of political parties, a principle upheld by the Supreme Court, especially in the wake of reports that candidates of both the SDP and Labour Party were excluded over internal disputes.
“The Commission has no constitutional authority to determine the candidates of political parties or dictate the nomination process,” Aiyenigba stressed.
This legal battle unfolds amid ongoing leadership turmoil within the SDP.
On July 25, 2025, a new National Working Committee led by Adamu Modibo was formed during an emergency National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja and attended by 23 state chairmen, including the FCT.
Modibo, now acting as the party’s National Chairman, pledged to restore order and cohesion within the SDP.
“We are drawing a line. A new disciplinary and reconciliation committee will be formed to unify the party and address misconduct,” he announced.
However, the development has been rejected by a rival faction led by Dr. Sadiq Abubakar.
National Secretary Dr. Olu Agunloye, aligned with the Abubakar camp, criticised the NEC meeting as unconstitutional.
He described it as “illegal and irregular,” cautioning state chairmen against actions that contravene the party’s internal rules.
The infighting has led to a series of suspensions. On June 24, 2025, the Gabam-led NWC suspended its former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, along with National Auditor Nze Nnadi Clarkson and National Youth Leader Uchechukwu Chukwuma, citing financial misconduct and unauthorised transactions.
Further intensifying the crisis, the party recently expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for allegedly misrepresenting his affiliation with the SDP while openly supporting another political party in the state.
“The NWC has determined that his conduct violates the SDP Constitution and the Electoral Act, which grants political parties exclusive rights to determine their membership,” Aiyenigba stated.
Despite the internal divisions, the SDP maintains that its focus remains on pursuing justice through the courts and preparing for the forthcoming by-elections with a unified front.
