SDP Faults INEC’s Decision to Appeal Court Rulings on 2027 Election Timetable

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for its decision to appeal court rulings that struck out aspects of the commission’s timetable for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking after a meeting between INEC and leaders of registered political parties in Abuja on Tuesday, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the electoral body should not challenge the judgments, arguing that they would provide political parties and candidates with more time to prepare for the elections.

Gombe said the court decisions would create additional opportunities for political campaigns and allow candidates who lost party primaries to continue exercising their political rights.

“INEC has no right to appeal the ruling because of the timing of the election and so on,” he said.

While maintaining that the commission was within its legal rights to pursue an appeal, Gombe questioned the necessity of such action.

“We don’t feel there is any need for INEC to appeal that. But it also has the right to,” he added.

On the leadership crisis within the SDP, Gombe said the party remained open to reconciliation with members of the rival faction led by former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam.

According to him, the party’s constitution provides mechanisms for discipline, conflict resolution and reconciliation.

He also stressed that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters and should not be determined by INEC.

“INEC doesn’t determine who should be the chairman of a political party. It is the party itself,” Gombe stated.

His remarks followed INEC’s announcement that it had filed appeals against two Federal High Court judgments that questioned aspects of its timetable for the 2027 general elections.

The commission said it was seeking judicial clarification on key legal issues, warning that alterations to the election timetable could affect the planning and smooth conduct of the polls.