“This decision is very significant, not only for the SDP, but for all political parties in Nigeria. It affirms the long-standing position of the Supreme Court that the internal affairs of political parties are for the parties alone to determine,” he said. Gombe urged INEC to fully comply with the judgment by allowing political parties to manage their internal processes in line with their constitutions, while also calling on political parties to uphold internal discipline and due process. “I have made it clear to INEC to stop interfering in the internal affairs of the SDP and other political parties. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court described INEC’s appeal as lacking in merit and purely academic.

Source: Punch December 19, 2025 20:46 UTC