The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared that its former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, is no longer a member of the party following what it described as a valid suspension and expulsion ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and national convention.

The party’s National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, stated this while briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

Gombe said the SDP honoured INEC’s invitation out of respect for the electoral commission but insisted that the commission had no constitutional authority to interfere in the party’s internal affairs.

According to him, 11 members of the party’s 15-member National Working Committee, alongside other stakeholders, attended the meeting and submitted documents supporting the decisions taken against Gabam.

“We came to INEC out of respect for the institution and in response to its invitation for alternative dispute resolution, but we made it clear that the SDP remains solely responsible for its internal affairs,” Gombe said.

The party explained that during a NEC meeting held on March 9, 2026, at Newtown Park Hotel and Resort, members ratified the appointments of the current National Working Committee and approved Gabam’s suspension and expulsion over allegations including corruption, mismanagement, breach of the party constitution and violations of the Electoral Act.

Gombe stated that the NEC meeting was formally communicated to INEC and monitored by officials of the commission, adding that certified true copies of the proceedings had already been submitted to the electoral body.

Citing Article 19(C) of the SDP constitution, he argued that any disciplined member is required to file an appeal within five working days through the party’s internal mechanisms.

According to the party leadership, Gabam neither pursued an internal appeal nor sought legal redress within the stipulated period.

“From the date the NEC ratified his expulsion, he ceased to be a member of the SDP,” Gombe said.

The SDP also dismissed suggestions that any court order could overturn decisions already ratified by both the NEC and the party convention.

The party maintained that the NEC remains the supreme administrative organ responsible for the daily running of the party and that no external institution could impose leadership on the SDP.

On the matter reportedly before the Supreme Court, Gombe clarified that the case originated from a dispute involving an SDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State and was unrelated to the party’s national leadership dispute.

The party further criticised what it described as attempts to use INEC’s portal to determine party leadership, insisting that the electoral commission lacks constitutional powers to recognise leaders outside decisions taken by the party’s recognised organs.

The SDP also expressed surprise over alleged claims by INEC that some correspondences relating to suspensions, expulsions and internal resolutions were not submitted to the commission.

“We have acknowledged copies of every communication sent to INEC, and all relevant documents were again presented during today’s meeting,” Gombe added.

The party used the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to internal democracy and due process, noting that it had already conducted its national convention and presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general elections in compliance with the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution.

According to the SDP, the convention and presidential primary were conducted transparently and broadcast live for public viewing.

The party also urged INEC to remain neutral and uphold constitutional provisions in the build-up to the 2027 elections.