Indications have emerged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed Alh Shehu Gabam led National Executives of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the authentic leadership of the party.

This came to light following a correspondence by INEC to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police requesting the names of the authentic officials of the party in a bid to address the age-long leadership crisis rocking the Party.

The letter, which was signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, was addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, titled, “Re: Request For Names Of The National Executives Of The Social Democratic Party (SDP)” with reference No SB/3380/FCT/VOL.3/11 dated 28th July 2025, acknowledged that Gabam remains the chairman of the party based on the outcome of the national convention of the party held on 8th June, 2022.

The letter also acknowledged, among others, that Dr. Olu Agunloye remains the national secretary of the party, Amb Rufus Aiyenigba as the national publicity secretary, Hon. Ogbonna Uchechukwu, the Speaker of Youth Parliament, and Barr Joseph Abuh as the national organizing secretary of the party.

Reacting, Alhaji Gabam commended the Nigeria Police Force for taking the appropriate action at last by seeking clarification from the Electoral body rather than relying on falsehood from desperate politicians who were out to destroy the Party because of their selfish interests.

Gabam therefore cautioned those still parading themselves as members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party outside the INEC authenticated list to stop such illegal acts as the appropriate security agencies would arrest them for impersonation and prosecute them according to the laws of the land.

He reaffirmed that the Party under his leadership remained committed to providing platforms for committed Nigerians to provide good governance for the citizens come 2027.

It would be recalled that a faction of the Party suspended the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Gabam, and two other members over alleged general misconduct, and appointed Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

A third faction loyal to the former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, subsequently emerged with the sole aim of dragging it to the Coalition with others and dissolved the Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe and Dr. Olu Agunloye led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party and appointed Comrade Abubakar Modido as the Acting National Chairman.

But the Party disowned Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, saying that he had been banned for over 30 years.

The ugly development prompted the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force to write officially to INEC to demand the list of the authentic members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party to restore law and order.