Supreme Court verdict: SDP celebrates, warns INEC against interfering in parties’ internal affairs

By Chris Ochayi

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, basking in the euphoria of its Friday Supreme Court victory over the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cautioned the electoral body against interfering in the internal affairs of political parties.

The Ag. National Chairman of SDP, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, who made the remarks, while speaking with newsmen shortly after the Supreme Court verdict on Friday in Abuja, warned INEC to stop any dealing whatsoever with suspended or expelled members of the party.

Prof. Gombe insisted that
INEC must take the apex court decision with clarity of purpose and accept that only the constitution of Nigeria, the electorate act and the constitution of the political parties remain supreme over any administrative consideration.

According to him, “Today is a historic day, not only for SOP, all the political parties in Nigeria but for democracy, our entire electoral process and the rule of law

“What we are witnessing today at his honourable Court of highest jurisdiction, has demonstrated that the Judiciary remains the last hope of common man and institutions alike that seek for justice, equity and fairness

“I must once agan pay my due respect to the Honourable Judges of this Supreme Court and all the other Judges at the Appellate Court and the Federal High Court where all the tho affirmed that the internal affairs of any political party is always the prerogative of its internal mechanism within the provision of its constitution.”

The SDP Chairman stressed further that, To the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC i wish to state that we understood their anxiety and passion, however justice must always prevail

“I therefore enjoined INEC to take this decision with clarity of purpose and accept that only the constitution of Nigeria, the electorate act and the constitution of the political parties remain supreme over any administrative consideration or convenience.

“We expect INEC to henceforth stop meddling into the internal affairs of political parties as this has long being decided and settled by the honourable Supreme Court

“INEC must therefore accept al unanimous majonty decisions of the NWC of the SDP being the body responsible for the day to day running of the affairs of the party and also the body empowered by the constitution of the party to decides on appointment, discipline (suspension or expulsion of its members at whatever level

“That INEC to stop any dealing whatsoever with suspended or expelled members of the party

“That INEC to immediately remove the name of suspended and expelled National Chairman Alh Shehu Musa Gabam and accordingly replace him with the duly recognised Ag. National Chairman by the NWC. Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe

“I hope and pray that INEC will open a new chapter of relationship, not only with the SDP, but the entire registered political parties, with the spirit of mutual respect, rule of law as well as ethical considerations in the conduct of its affairs.”