The Supreme Court of Nigeria today dismissed an appeal filed by Shehu Gabam challenging the Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) under Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe.
A five-member panel of the apex court, comprising Justices Adamu Jauro, Haruna Tsammani, A.A. Adumein, Jonah Adah, and Joseph Oyewole, delivered the ruling. In the lead judgment, Justice Adamu Jauro held that the appeal had become irrelevant and consequently dismissed it.
Reacting to the decision, SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo described the appeal as having “no life.” He noted that the justices had asked the plaintiffs to withdraw the appeal and apologise, adding that the judgment brings a definitive end to the protracted SDP leadership crisis.
“Supreme Court said that there is no life in the case and dismissed the case. That is the end of Shehu Gabam. There is nothing about the SDP leadership crisis coming up again,” Adebayo stated.
National Chairman of the SDP, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, hailed the Supreme Court for standing firm in defence of democracy and the rule of law.
The ruling follows the Court of Appeal’s decision in August 2026, which set aside the judgment of Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026. That lower court ruling had recognised Gabam’s leadership of the party; the appellate court declared it null and void.