The National Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has ratified the appointment of Dr Sadiq Gombe as the National Chairman of the party at its meeting held in Abuja.
The ratification was announced after deliberations at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting on Monday in Abuja, where leaders endorsed Gombe’s leadership and pledged renewed unity, stability and organisational discipline nationwide.
The ratification followed a motion moved by Gaza Gbefwi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, who urged NEC members to formally endorse the leadership change proposal.
The motion was seconded by Gbenga Akinbuli, the SDP chairman in Ondo State, who supported the endorsement and called on members to rally behind the new leadership for unity and progress nationwide.
SDP NEC also ratified the appointment of Sen. Ugochukwu Uba as National Deputy Chairman South and Rosemary Effiong as National Labour secretary.
The committee also ratified disciplinary measures including the suspension of former national chairman Shehu Gabam and others over alleged gross misconduct following internal investigations and recommendations presented before NEC members deliberations.
The NEC further ratified all decisions and actions of the National Working Committee taken from March 2022 to March 2026 during which the NWC managed party affairs and organisational matters nationwide.
The NEC also approved zoning arrangements covering the offices of national chairman and presidential candidate alongside other strategic positions as part of efforts to balance representation, strengthen inclusion and party cohesion.
In his welcome address, National Organising Secretary, Joseph Abu, said the meeting demonstrated the party’s commitment to rebuilding unity, strengthening structures, restoring confidence and stabilising operations after a turbulent internal period.
Abu noted that the party remained committed to social justice, inclusion, accountability and people-centred governance, values he said formed the foundation upon which the Social Democratic Party was built and sustained.
According to him, the gathering demonstrates the collective resolve of members to build a stronger, more united political platform capable of representing the aspirations and hopes of Nigerians across the country.
Abu urged members to actively participate in party activities, stressing that unity, courage and shared purpose remained essential for strengthening the party, expanding grassroots support and advancing democratic development across Nigeria.
The organising secretary expressed confidence in the party’s electoral strength, noting that the SDP had produced elected officials and could secure even greater victories in future elections with unity, discipline and commitment.
In his acceptance speech, Gombe said the SDP remained Nigeria’s most stable political platform, attributing progress to experienced administrators, committed members and strict adherence to due process nationwide.
Gombe said the party’s engagements with the Independent National Electoral Commission demonstrated discipline and respect for constitutional procedures, citing consistent communication through letters, resolutions and other formal processes over several electoral cycles.
The chairman explained that the party approached courts only after INEC failed to recognise its candidates during elections, forcing action from Federal High Court to the Supreme Court seeking legal redress.
He, however, called on INEC and the National Assembly to strengthen the Electoral Act, ensured transparency, fairness and justice while guaranteeing credible elections ahead of the 2027 elections nationwide for Nigerians.
“We are going to do everything possible to provide Nigerians with the needed credible alternative that the SDP has turned out to be today in Nigeria,” Gombe said.
In his goodwill message, former SDP presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo, alleged that certain provisions in the 2026 Electoral Act were manipulated, describing them as harmful to democracy.
Adebayo urged the National Assembly to amend the law to restore public confidence and guarantee transparent, credible elections while strengthening democratic institutions and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process nationwide.
Also speaking, former House of Representatives member, Hajiya Mulikat Akande, urged the party to avoid the type of crisis that befell the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by always doing what is right.
The National Woman Leader, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi, thanked party members for ensuring a smooth NEC meeting and urged continued cooperation, unity and commitment toward strengthening the party ahead of future elections.(NAN)