SDP triumphs as Appeal Court asserts party’s authority over INEC guidelines
_….SDP has won again. First, at the Federal High Court in August 2025, and again, at the Court of Appeal in October 2025
The Court of Appeal Abuja presided over by Banjoko JCA and others on Friday, 17 October 2025 declared SDP the winner against INEC in the case where INEC had sought to turn down the High Court’s judgment in favour of the Social Democratic Party on whether the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary can take decisions on behalf of the party or direct INEC or its Chairman.
The Appeal Court held that INEC has no power to refuse to recognise and act on letters signed by the Acting National Chairman, Dr Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye.
The Appeal Court nullified the position of INEC that the Acting National Chairman, Dr Sadiq Umar Abubakar (Gombe) is unknown to INEC.
The case – INEC v SDP is essentially about who has the authority to decide for the party. The Appeal Court has upheld the power of SDP under the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act to convey its decision to INEC through the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary regardless of the so-called INEC “Guidelines”
