The Social Democratic Party, (SDP), has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging what it described as the unlawful disqualification of its candidates from participating in upcoming by-elections across twelve states in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP accused INEC of overstepping its constitutional mandate by rejecting candidates who emerged from what it insists were validly conducted party primaries.
According to Aiyenigba, “The Commission acted against the ruling of the Supreme Court to have rejected our candidates or those of any other political party. INEC has no such powers to determine the candidates of political parties or dictate the process by which political parties will nominate their candidates”.
He added that the party had already instituted legal proceedings to compel INEC to reverse the disqualification and accept its candidates in accordance with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and INEC’s own guidelines. The SDP also alleged that the disqualification extended to candidates from the Labour Party (LP), citing purported internal crises within both parties — a justification the SDP strongly refutes.
“This is a politically motivated move to undermine smaller parties,” the statement read, reiterating the party’s confidence in the judiciary to uphold democratic principles.
Despite INEC’s position, the SDP maintains there is no valid internal crisis that could justify the disqualification. However, the party is currently embroiled in a prolonged leadership dispute that has split its ranks.
The crisis intensified after the suspension of former National Chairman Shehu Gabam on June 24 over allegations of financial misconduct and unauthorised transactions. Also suspended were the party’s National Auditor, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader, Uchechukwu Chukwuma.
Following an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on July 25 in Abuja, a new National Working Committee (NWC) was announced, with Adamu Modibbo emerging as Acting National Chairman. Modibbo, backed by 23 state chairmen including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), pledged to initiate reconciliation efforts and set up a disciplinary committee to address internal disputes.
However, a rival faction led by Dr. Saddiq Abubakar has rejected Modibbo’s leadership, calling the NEC meeting unconstitutional. The party’s National Secretary aligned with the Abubakar camp, Dr. Olu Agunloye, accused some members of forging signatures and warned state chairmen against participating in what he called illegitimate party activities. Several chairmen, Agunloye claimed, have filed affidavits with INEC disavowing the meeting.
Despite the leadership tussle, the SDP insists that the primaries that produced its candidates were legally conducted and should be upheld.
