ABUJA, Nigeria — The Court of Appeal in Abuja has definitively affirmed Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), ending a protracted legal dispute over the party's leadership.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Wednesday, a three-man panel led by Justice Fadawu Umaru voided a Federal High Court judgment that had recognized the expelled Shehu Gabam as chairman. The appellate court's ruling brings finality to the internal leadership struggle within the party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already begun implementing the judgment. The electoral body is now including the SDP on the ballot paper for the upcoming governorship election in Osun State, reflecting the court's decision.

The panel, which also included Justices M.S. Hassan and L.A. Ganiyu, declared the Federal High Court's Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026 a nullity. This suit had been the basis for Gabam's claim to the chairmanship.

The appeal against the Federal High Court ruling was initiated by the Gombe-led SDP leadership. They sought to overturn the High Court's decision that aimed to reinstate Gabam, who had been expelled from the party.

Justice Umaru stated that the Federal High Court had made an error in law. He highlighted that the Supreme Court had already settled the leadership question in favour of Professor Gombe's faction on May 22, 2026, rendering the subsequent High Court judgment contradictory.

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP's presidential candidate and lead counsel in the appeal, confirmed that the appellate court dismissed all six applications filed by the disputing parties. Adebayo explained the judgment was based on two key grounds: the High Court's decision conflicted with a binding Supreme Court ruling, and it improperly recognized an expelled party 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 further noted that the court also validated Dr. Francis Ajala as the SDP's governorship candidate in Osun State, rejecting a rival claim by Salahu that the Federal High Court had entertained.

Adebayo described the verdict as the final resolution to months of legal battles that had caused significant distraction for the party in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. He commended the judiciary for its role in guiding INEC and bringing closure to the matter.

With the leadership dispute now settled, Adebayo expressed confidence that the SDP would shift its focus towards challenging the APC government in the upcoming general elections.

Professor Sadiq Gombe, the affirmed National Chairman of the SDP, also praised the judiciary for its swift handling of the case, noting its resolution within a four to five-day period. Gombe urged INEC to uphold the internal decisions of all 22 registered political parties, particularly concerning candidate selection processes.