By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — The Social Democratic Celebration (SDP) has filed a lawsuit towards the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) over the Fee’s reported rejection of its candidates for the upcoming by-elections in twelve states throughout the nation.
In an announcement issued on Sunday by the SDP Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the get together claimed that INEC acted past its powers by refusing to acknowledge its candidates, regardless of their nomination by way of duly performed primaries.
“The SDP is already difficult INEC’s determination in courtroom,” the assertion learn. “We belief the judiciary to do justice by compelling the Fee to confess the SDP’s candidates, as they had been validly nominated in accordance with the get together’s structure, the Electoral Act, and INEC rules.”
The SDP additional argued that each its candidates and people of the Labour Celebration had been reportedly rejected attributable to claims of inner get together crises. Nevertheless, it insisted that INEC’s motion contradicts a Supreme Court docket ruling affirming the autonomy of political events in candidate choice.
“The Fee has no constitutional authority to find out the candidates of political events or dictate the nomination course of,” Aiyenigba emphasised.
Management Disaster Deepens in SDP
The rejection of candidates by INEC comes amid a protracted management disaster inside the SDP, which just lately culminated within the dissolution of rival factions led by Alhaji Shehu Gabam and Dr. Sadiq Abubakar.
On July 25, 2025, a brand new Nationwide Working Committee (NWC) led by Adamu Modibo emerged at an emergency Nationwide Government Committee (NEC) assembly in Abuja, attended by 23 state chairmen, together with that of the Federal Capital Territory.
Modibo, in his remarks after assuming the function of Appearing Nationwide Chairman, acknowledged the get together’s inner challenges and pledged to provoke reconciliation efforts. “We’re drawing a line,” he stated. “A brand new disciplinary and reconciliation committee will likely be shaped to unify the get together and deal with misconduct.”
Nevertheless, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar’s faction of the NWC has rejected the event, describing the NEC assembly as unconstitutional and unsanctioned.
Nationwide Secretary Dr. Olu Agunloye, aligned with the Abubakar faction, described the assembly as “unlawful and irregular,” warning state chairmen towards collaborating in actions that breach the get together’s structure.
In line with Agunloye, a number of state chairmen have submitted sworn affidavits to INEC, distancing themselves from the NEC assembly and alleging unauthorized use of their signatures.
Suspensions and Expulsions Rock Celebration
The continuing disaster has additionally led to a sequence of suspensions. On June 24, 2025, the Gabam-led NWC suspended its former Nationwide Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over alleged monetary misconduct, misappropriation, and unauthorized transactions. Two different NWC members, Nationwide Auditor Nze Nnadi Clarkson and Nationwide Youth Chief Uchechukwu Chukwuma, had been additionally suspended on related grounds.
Including to the turmoil, the SDP introduced final week that former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, had been expelled from the get together for 30 years. The get together accused El-Rufai of falsely claiming SDP membership and selling the pursuits of one other political get together in Kaduna State.
In an announcement, Aiyenigba stated El-Rufai had didn’t register on the ward stage as required, regardless of public claims of becoming a member of the SDP and associating with suspended leaders.
“The NWC has decided that his conduct violates the SDP Structure and the Electoral Act, which grants political events unique rights to find out their membership,” the assertion learn.
The SDP, whereas dealing with inner divisions and authorized battles, says it stays dedicated to making sure justice within the courts and restoring unity inside its ranks.
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