By George Mgbeleke

In line with Supreme Court judgment on internal party autonomy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) under Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, in a development widely seen as a decisive step toward resolving the lingering leadership dispute within the party.

The recognition followed a review of relevant court judgments and internal party communications presented to the electoral body during recent engagements with SDP stakeholders in Abuja.

Party sources said INEC informed the delegation that it had taken note of Supreme Court pronouncements affirming the autonomy of political parties in determining their internal leadership structures, as well as documentation submitted by the Gombe-led faction.

The commission was also said to have considered minutes of party meetings, disciplinary records, and resolutions of the SDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which the Gombe group insists represents the authentic governing authority of the party.

The development effectively strengthens the position of the Gombe-led executive, which has maintained that leadership legitimacy flows strictly from party organs, particularly the NEC and National Working Committee (NWC), in line with constitutional provisions and judicial precedents.

Reacting to the development, party stakeholders aligned with the leadership described INEC’s recognition as a “restoration of order,” insisting that it validates earlier disciplinary actions and internal decisions taken to stabilise the party structure.

However, observers note that the decision may deepen tensions with rival factions still contesting control of the party’s national structure, setting the stage for possible further legal and political engagements.

INEC has not issued an official public statement detailing the scope of its recognition, but officials familiar with the meeting say the commission urged all sides to adhere strictly to due process and court rulings to avoid further escalation.

The SDP leadership crisis has been one of the most closely watched internal party disputes, with implications for opposition alignment and preparations ahead of future elections.

For now, the recognition of the Gombe-led structure marks a significant turning point in the struggle for control of the party’s national leadership.

By George Mgbeleke

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that Following the conclusion of the primaries, the Commission is transitioning to the candidate nomination phase, on Friday, 26th June, 2026, issue official access codes to all political parties for the purpose of accessing the Candidate Nomination Portal.

Making this declaration at the quarterly Consultative meeting with leaders of political parties,INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan assured that access codes will enable designated national officers of political parties to upload the names, personal particulars and other required information relating to nominated candidates.

” I urge political parties to ensure that their ICT personnel and relevant officers are adequately prepared and that all submissions are completed well before the stipulated deadlines.

“The portal is fully automated and will close automatically at the expiration of the prescribed period.
Another important component of our preparations for future elections is the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise. The Commission remains committed to expanding voter access and ensuring that all eligible citizens are afforded the opportunity to participate in the democratic process and the data of every registered voters are protected.

“I therefore wish to reiterate that the current phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise provides an important opportunity for eligible Nigerians who have attained the age of eighteen years, as well as voters seeking transfers, corrections or updates of their records, to register and regularise their voter information.”

On the conflicting judicial pronouncements on the Commission’s Electoral Timetable, Amupitan noted ,”In view of the differing conclusions reached in the judgments and in order to ensure certainty and stability in preparations for the 2027 General Election, the Commission has filed appeals against the decisions and has taken the necessary legal steps to obtain authoritative pronouncements from the Appellate Courts.

“The Commission’s position remains that the activities contained in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities are not isolated events. They are interrelated operational processes designed to ensure the orderly, transparent and successful conduct of elections.

“While the Electoral Act prescribes timelines for certain activities, there are several critical electoral processes for which no express statutory timelines are provided but which must necessarily be accommodated within the overall electoral calendar.

“The absence of coordinated timelines for such activities would create uncertainty, disrupt election planning and undermine the Commission’s constitutional responsibility to organise, undertake and supervise elections in an efficient and credible manner.”

Shading light on the electoral Act Amendment he said, “These activities include, among others, the submission and verification of party membership registers; the monitoring of party primaries across the Federation; the pre-upload of the names of winners of monitored primaries by political parties on the Commission’s designated portal as an accountability mechanism aimed at strengthening internal party democracy; the nomination process itself; the printing of ballot papers and result sheets; quality assurance procedures; deployment of election materials; training of election personnel; voter education and sensitisation activities; procurement of sensitive materials, the configuration of the BVAS machines and compliance with statutory obligations such as inviting political parties to inspect samples of electoral materials pursuant to Section 42 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

“Sometimes, environmental factors are also key, such as the Weather that called for the early deployment of sensitive materials and the terrain where those materials are to be deployed.

“The Commission therefore considers it imperative that all electoral activities be harmonised within a coherent and workable framework that promotes certainty, transparency, administrative efficiency and equal treatment of all political parties.

” I wish to assure political parties and the Nigerian public that notwithstanding the pending appeals, the Commission remains firmly committed to conducting the 2027 General Election in strict compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all lawful judicial pronouncements.

“Turning to party administration and preparations for forthcoming elections, we have issued the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026 and the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2026, in line with section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

” I acknowledge the conclusion of party primaries in the relevant jurisdictions. The primary election process remains the gateway to democratic governance, and its credibility directly impacts the quality and integrity of the electoral process.

“Following the conclusion of the primaries, the Commission is transitioning to the candidate nomination phase. Accordingly, on Friday, 26th June, 2026, the Commission will issue official access codes to all political parties for the purpose of accessing the Candidate Nomination Portal.

“These access codes will enable designated national officers of political parties to upload the names, personal particulars and other required information relating to nominated candidates. I urge political parties to ensure that their ICT personnel and relevant officers are adequately prepared and that all submissions are completed well before the stipulated deadlines.

“The portal is fully automated and will close automatically at the expiration of the prescribed period.
Another important component of our preparations for future elections is the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise. The Commission remains committed to expanding voter access and ensuring that all eligible citizens are afforded the opportunity to participate in the democratic process and the data of every registered voters are protected.

“I therefore wish to reiterate that the current phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise provides an important opportunity for eligible Nigerians who have attained the age of eighteen years, as well as voters seeking transfers, corrections or updates of their records, to register and regularise their voter information.

“As political parties with structures in every ward and community across the country, I urge you to intensify voter education and mobilisation efforts so that eligible citizens take advantage of this opportunity and subsequently collect their Permanent Voter Cards.”

On the outcome of the recently concluded primaries Chairman, INTER-PARTY ADVISORY COUNCIL (IPAC), DR. YUSUF MAMMAN DANTALLE noted that unfortunately validated many of the concerns previously raised by the Council.

Accordingly, IPAC calls on the National Assembly, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to undertake a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act 2026 with a view to addressing the operational deficiencies revealed during the nomination process. Electoral laws should promote democratic participation, strengthen political institutions, and advance the national interest rather than create avoidable obstacles to effective political competition.

Elections remain the cornerstone of representative democracy. There is no substitute for a democratic system founded on the free expression of the will of the people.

“As we prepare for the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States and ultimately the 2027 General Election, we must collectively work to restore public trust and confidence in the electoral process. The credibility of elections is indispensable to democratic legitimacy, political stability, national cohesion, and sustainable development.

“IPAC therefore urges political actors across the country to embrace issue-based campaigns and reject all forms of violence, intimidation, hate speech, and political extremism. Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not confrontation and bloodshed.

“In this regard, the Council strongly condemns the recent incidents of political violence reported in Osun State. We call on all political actors to exercise restraint and place the national interest above partisan considerations. No political ambition is worth the loss of human life, the destruction of property, or the destabilisation of communities.

“We equally call upon security agencies to discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities with professionalism, neutrality, and diligence to ensure a peaceful political environment throughout the electoral cycle.

“As the nation’s electoral management body, INEC occupies a pivotal position in Nigeria’s democratic architecture. The Commission must continue to uphold the highest standards of impartiality, professionalism, transparency, and accountability. It is imperative that all political parties and candidates are accorded equal treatment and provided with a level playing field.”

By Our Correspondent

Ahead of 2027 presidential, there are emerging fear as Ex -Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has purportedly threatened to leave the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after the party replaced several Kwankwasiyya faction candidates in Kano to enforce a pre-agreed 60/40 power-sharing formula favouring his bloc at 60%.

The NDC had replaced several candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya faction in Kano State over an alleged breach of a power-sharing agreement, according to a report by the Dailypost, which sighted a document signed by the Kano State NDC Chairman, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga.

Mairiga said that the changes were made to reflect the earlier agreement on the distribution of party positions and elective tickets between the existing NDC structure and the Kwankwasiyya bloc.

The document was copied to the National Leader of the opposition political party, Senator Seriake Dickson, Kwankwaso, and the NDC North-West Zonal Chairman, according to news reports.

Under the revised list, the party approved the following for Federal Constituencies: Barr Isma’il Idris Sani – Kumbotso; Nasiru Ali Ahmed – Nassarawa; Kabiru Ishaq Sa’id – Kano Municipal, Barr Dayyabu Jamilu Ibrahim – Doguwa/Tudun Wada; Muhammad Hamisu Abubakar – Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa; Ibrahim Bashir Bango – Sumaila/Takai and Abdulmajid Isa Umar Mairigar Fata – Gwale.

Adjustments were also made to the Kano State House of Assembly tickets in Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo, and Dawakin Kudu constituencies.

According to the NDC, there was a standing agreement for elective positions and party offices to be shared on a 60-40 basis, with the Kwankwasiyya bloc receiving 60% and the original party structure retaining 40%.

The presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, on May 31 officially named Kwankwaso, as his vice presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The announcement confirmed a major political realignment ahead of the polls, positioning both figures as the party’s presidential and vice presidential ticket for the upcoming election.

With the confirmation, Obi and Kwankwaso are expected to jointly lead the NDC’s campaign into the 2027 race, bringing together two influential political blocs with strong national support bases.

The development marks one of the most significant opposition alliances ahead of the election cycle, reshaping early expectations for the 2027 presidential contest.