SDP criticizes INEC for appealing 2027 election timetable ruling

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for deciding to appeal recent court rulings that canceled parts of its election timetable for the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, said there is no need for INEC to challenge the court decisions. He believes the rulings will give political parties and candidates more space to effectively take part in the elections.

Gombe spoke with journalists after the Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting between INEC leaders and heads of registered political parties in Abuja.

"We were invited to today’s meeting, and we are happy with how it went. We trust INEC to do what is right as a law-abiding body, especially under a professor of law who is a SAN. We believe in their commitment to the rule of law," he said.

Reacting to INEC’s choice to appeal the court rulings, the SDP chairman questioned why they felt it was necessary. He said, "INEC has no right to appeal the ruling because of the timing of the election and so on. Still, we feel there is no need for it because this is something that will free political parties and give them more space to prepare for the elections."

Gombe continued, "It will also allow for campaigns and other activities instead of tightening the electoral process, which can lead to parties being left out or candidates not being able to exercise their rights after switching parties. They have that right, which is part of their fundamental human rights as stated in our constitution."

He added, "So I think, for us, there is no need for INEC to appeal that. But they have the right to appeal. I am sure the court will do justice to it, just like they did with the first suit. I believe we are moving forward, especially with how the judiciary has been performing lately."

On the ongoing leadership issue within the SDP and the chances for peace with the faction led by former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, Gombe said the party is open to reconciliation based on its constitution.

"The party’s constitution guides its mechanisms. Article 19 talks a lot about member discipline and reconciliation. But it has timelines. However, that does not prevent the need for reconciliation whenever there is a need. We are leaders.

"As a father, if his child misbehaves, he cannot say, 'because he is my child, I will just abandon him.' No, if he repents and acknowledges his fault, there is nothing wrong with that," he said.

Gombe also emphasized that questions about party leadership are internal matters and not for INEC to decide. He said, "The issue of party leadership is solely for the political party to decide. The Supreme Court has ruled on this many times. It is not about the INEC portal. INEC does not determine who should lead a political party. It is the party itself."

He added, "The party has structures that manage its daily activities. The National Executive Committee is the main body responsible for the SDP, along with the National Working Committee, which handles the day-to-day running of the party."

The SDP’s comments come after INEC revealed it has filed appeals against two Federal High Court rulings that questioned parts of its timetable for the 2027 elections.

The first ruling, delivered on May 20 in a case by the Youth Party, challenged specific timelines in the commission’s election schedule. The second ruling, delivered on May 26 in a case brought by the SDP, supported INEC’s authority to issue an electoral timetable but canceled some deadlines for candidate nomination and substitution.

At the consultative meeting, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said the commission wants to seek clarification through appeals on what it calls important legal questions about its powers to manage electoral activities.

He mentioned that the electoral timetable is essential for guiding key activities like party primaries, candidate nominations, voter education, election materials procurement, and personnel deployment. He warned that changing parts of the timetable could disrupt the whole electoral process.