By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced May 9, 2026, as the date for its national convention, as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, SDP National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, disclosed that the convention will hold in Bauchi State. He also unveiled the Convention Planning Committee, naming Usman Bugaje as Chairman, former House of Representatives member Mulikat Akande as Deputy Chairman, and Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi as Secretary.
Gombe reaffirmed the legitimacy of the party’s leadership and its compliance with electoral regulations following a verification exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the party’s national secretariat. According to him, an 11-member INEC delegation carried out a comprehensive review of the party’s structures, including its National Executive Committee (NEC), NWC, administrative framework, and nationwide presence.
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The exercise involved physical identification of party leaders, inspection of financial records, verification of staff strength, and confirmation of operational offices across the country.
“We had full representation of our NEC members, including state chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This demonstrates our unity and compliance with the law,” Gombe said.
He added that INEC officials also examined the party’s membership register both electronic and hard copies as well as documentation relating to its headquarters and financial operations. The SDP chairman noted that political parties are required to submit their membership registers by May 9, 2026, ahead of party primaries expected to conclude by May 30, 2026.
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He stressed that the SDP has met all statutory requirements under the Electoral Act, including maintaining offices in at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s states. On internal governance, Gombe emphasized that decisions of the party’s NEC remain binding, citing rulings of the Supreme Court affirming that internal party matters are the exclusive preserve of political parties. He maintained that the current leadership emerged from a duly constituted NEC meeting held in March 2025, with INEC in attendance.
Addressing questions about Senator Aliyu Wadada of Nasarawa West, SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, said the party had not received any formal resignation from the lawmaker despite reports linking him to another political platform.
“Under Nigerian law, an individual cannot belong to two political parties at the same time. Until the proper process is followed, he remains a member of the SDP,” Aiyenigba said.
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He added that the party’s legal department is reviewing the matter and will take appropriate action to ensure compliance with due process. Gombe expressed optimism about the party’s prospects, noting that its ongoing membership registration drive has recorded encouraging participation nationwide.
“We are not taking anything for granted. We remain committed to the growth of the party and the progress of our democracy,” he said.
He also called on the media to ensure accurate reporting of the party’s activities, reaffirming the SDP’s commitment to democratic principles and national development.
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By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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