The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), bringing an end to a prolonged legal battle for the party's leadership.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Wednesday by a three-man panel led by Justice Fadawu Umaru, the appellate court voided a Federal High Court judgment that had recognised Shehu Gabam, who had been expelled from the party, as chairman. The panel, which also included Justices M.S. Hassan and L.A. Ganiyu, declared the Federal High Court suit, No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026, a nullity.

The appeal against the Federal High Court ruling was initiated by the Gombe-led SDP leadership. They challenged the High Court's decision to reinstate Gabam despite his expulsion from the party. Justice Umaru stated that the Federal High Court had erred in law, as the Supreme Court had already settled the leadership dispute in favour of Gombe's faction on May 22, 2026.

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP presidential candidate and lead counsel in the case, confirmed that the Court of Appeal dismissed all six applications filed by parties involved in the dispute. He explained that the judgment was based on two key grounds: the High Court's decision contradicted a binding Supreme Court ruling, and it wrongly recognised an expelled member.

"Today, the Court of Appeal set aside the Federal High Court judgment which Gabam was using to compel INEC to recognise him as National Chairman," Adebayo stated. He added that the court also validated Dr. Francis Ajala as the SDP's governorship candidate in Osun State, faulting the Federal High Court for considering a rival claim by Salahu.

Adebayo described the verdict as the final resolution to months of legal wrangling that had reportedly distracted the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. "The judiciary has done very well for Nigeria and has guided INEC very well. This matter is over and settled," he remarked, expressing confidence that the SDP would now focus on challenging the APC government in the upcoming elections.

Professor Sadiq Gombe, the affirmed National Chairman of the SDP, also commended the judiciary for its swift handling of the case, which he noted was concluded within four to five days. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the internal decisions of all 22 registered political parties, particularly concerning candidate selection.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), upon learning of the judgment, has begun to implement the ruling by including the SDP on the ballot paper for the upcoming Governorship election in Osun State.