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INEC affirms Social Democratic Party leadership after nationwide verification
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has affirmed the leadership of the Social Democratic Party SDP following a comprehensive verification exercise. This exercise, part of regulatory checks for registered political parties, ensures compliance with constitutional provisions, internal governance standards, and nationwide spread ahead of the 2027 general elections. SDP National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, announced the outcome, stating that an 11-member INEC delegation reviewed the party's structures, including its National Executive Committee NEC, National Working Committee, and administrative framework. The process involved physical identification of party leaders, scrutiny of financial records, assessment of staff strength, and confirmation of the party's presence across the federation. INEC officials examined both electronic and hard copy versions of the party’s membership register, along with documentation related to its headquarters and financial operations. Gombe highlighted the full representation of NEC members from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, demonstrating unity and legal compliance. The verification occurs amidst political realignments, with the SDP leadership aiming to project stability. Gombe emphasized that NEC decisions are binding, citing Supreme Court rulings on party autonomy in internal affairs. He noted that the current leadership emerged from a March 2025 NEC meeting, attended by INEC representatives, and that the Supreme Court
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