The Supreme Court has brought the latest legal battle over the leadership of the Social Democratic Party to an end, dismissing an appeal involving former National Chairman Shehu Gabam.
A five-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro dismissed the appeal on Wednesday, holding that the matter no longer presented a live issue for determination.
The dispute had moved from the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal and eventually the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeal had in August set aside the Federal High Court judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026, which had recognised Gabam as the SDP National Chairman.
Reacting to the Supreme Court ruling, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, described it as a victory for the party, democracy and the rule of law.
Gombe said the party’s long legal battle was not simply about its internal leadership but also about defending democratic principles.
SDP presidential candidate and counsel to the party, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the Supreme Court decision had effectively ended Gabam’s leadership challenge.
“The Supreme Court said that there is no life in the case and dismissed the case. That is the end of Shehu Gabam,” Adebayo said.
Adebayo said the original case was filed by another party member seeking recognition of Gabam’s leadership.
He added that Gabam had already been removed from the party and had not challenged his removal, according to his account of the proceedings.
The Court of Appeal had earlier declared the Federal High Court judgment null and void, after the Gombe-led SDP challenged the decision.
With the Supreme Court dismissing the appeal, the latest phase of the leadership litigation has now come to a close.
However, Adebayo disclosed that the SDP still has other matters before the Supreme Court involving the Independent National Electoral Commission and its timetable for the 2027 elections.
He said those cases concern the extent of INEC’s powers to set or modify electoral deadlines.
According to Adebayo, the party is seeking clarification on the time available to political parties for the nomination and substitution of candidates.
The Supreme Court ruling now comes as the Gombe-led SDP shifts its attention from the leadership litigation to preparations for the 2027 general elections.