May 25, (THEWILL) — One week after he emerged the sole presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Adewole Adebayo has been suspended from the party by its National Working Committee, NWC. Before Adebayo’s suspension, the party had also dismissed reports that it had submitted the list of its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
According to Mr. Lawal Ibrahim, Special Adviser on Media to the party’s National Chairman, the SDP said “no process had yet been concluded for the emergence of its presidential candidate and, therefore, no name could have been forwarded to INEC.”
Also, the party dismissed reports of a purported national convention allegedly held in Bauchi State where Adebayo emerged as a presidential candidate of the party, describing the gathering as “illegal and orchestrated by desperate politicians seeking to create confusion within the party.”
At a live convention held on May 17, 2026, Adebayo who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election had emerged as the sole presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 election following his adoption at the party’s national convention held in the North-east state.
He secured the party’s ticket by consensus as the sole aspirant in the race, with delegates across the 36 states taking turns to endorse his candidacy during the convention. The gathering also produced new members of the party’s National Working Committee.
Alarmed at the development, the party’s NWC led by Alhaji Shehu Gabam described as misleading and fake reports suggesting that the party had submitted the name of its presidential candidate for the upcoming 2027 general election to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following what it considered a kangaroo national convention reportedly held in Bauchi State.
“This is a false and calculated attempt to mislead our party members nationwide and the general public.”
It quickly organised a congress and national convention that produced the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections under INEC supervision.
At the 2026 convention and presidential primary held on May 202, 2026 at the Bola Tinubu Conference Centre by the Gabam-led Social Democratic Party, SDP, elected Abimbola Akeem Atanda as its Presidential candidate for the upcoming poll. The convention ratified the nomination of Shehu Gabam as its National Chairman alongside other members of the NWC.
The election was conducted in a voice vote by delegates from the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The SDP has also suspended the National Working Committee, NWC, led by Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, the National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye and the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba. Also suspended are Adewole Adebayo, Joseph Achile Abu; Maggie Mariam Batubo; Sa’adatu Abdullahi; Abimbola Aderemi; Oguchukwu Uba; Huseesini Bello; Alabi Lekan; Rosemary Effiong and Abubakar Modibo.
According to the party, “These disciplinary measures were taken following findings that the affected individuals acted in ways inconsistent with the ideals, principles, and constitutional provisions of the party, thereby undermining party cohesion and discipline. “I therefore urge this distinguished house/body to approve and ratify the suspension and expulsion accordingly.”
Before the Abuja convention, the Gabam- led NWC was recognised by the INEC and listed on its site. A cautionary information was added to it: By Court Order. The Convention had therefore ratified Gabam leadership. But the other members of the NWC of the party listed alongside Gabam, namely, the National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye; National Treasurer, Maggie Mariam; National Legal Adviser Abimbola Aderemi and National Financial Secretary, Huseesini Bello, were among those who were suspended, thus fuelling more crisis for the party.
Reacting to his suspension, Adebayo said he was unperturbed and would continue to assume the position of the party’s presidential candidate. He argued that though Gabam did not attend the Bauchi convention where he emerged the sole presidential candidate of the party, it was the duty of INEC to catch with the party and not the other way round, suggesting that the party in fulfilment of its role has conducted a convention according to the law.
He said, “Whether Gombe is the chairman of the party or not, I lose nothing. If it is Gabam that is the chairman, I lose nothing. What concerns me is that the party must follow the Constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines in the conduct of its affairs. I am not an official of the party, an exco member. With respect to INEC, the law is very clear. Under the Constitution, it is charged to supervise the parties and ensure they abide by democratic principles as spelt out in Section 15 c and in Section 83 of the Electoral Act which empowers INEC to regulate political parties.”
According to him, the party’ crisis started about two years ago when, shortly after Gabam was elected Chairman alongside the present NWC of the party, a National Financial Secretary was appointed. Thereafter, Gabam was suspended over allegations that led to a criminal trial, which led to his suspension. Later, he continued, INEC said there was a court order that made the Commission remove Gombe as Chairman from its website and replace him with Gabam.
“The party is of the view that INEC did the wrong thing to exchange the names of the National Chairman of the party on its site. Anyway, the party has a National Legal Adviser and I think the NWC has competent people to resolve the issue. So, I will not panic at all. I am not shopping for a ticket. I have been in the SDP since 1991 when I was 19 years-old and I will remain in the SDP, even if I were to lose the ticket to another person.”
The Gabam leadership would have none of it. It said that the suspension of Adebayo and some old NWC members would continue to remain in force until the suspension is lifted. Both parties await INEC’s final word on who leads the party’s NCW, as that body would, by law, deal with the Commission before the 2027 general poll.
In a unanimous judgment delivered in suit SC/CV/229/2026 on May 22, 2026, delivered by Justice Garba, the Supreme Court set aside the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, effectively dismantling the legal foundation upon which INEC based its recognition of Gabam-led leadership within the party.
The ruling marks the latest twist in the prolonged internal battle over the control of the SDP and disputes surrounding the conduct of party primaries, especially the Ekiti State governorship primary election. Even so, Gabam continues to insist that he is the National Chairman of the party. INEC’s recognition of the party’s NWC would lay the matter to rest.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
