The Supreme Court has dismissed Shehu Gabam’s appeal challenging the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as irrelevant, thereby leaving Prof. Abubakar Gombe in control heading into the 2027 elections.

The judgment ended the protracted battle over the leadership of the opposition party, after the Court of Appeal had earlier overturned a Federal High Court judgment recognising Gabam’s leadership.

A five-member Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Adamu Jauro and comprising Justices Haruna Tsammani, Aseimo Adumein, Jonah Adah, and Joseph Oyewole, gave the ruling yesterday in Abuja.

Reacting to the judgment, the SDP presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, said Gabam’s challenge had effectively collapsed, adding that the justices had asked the plaintiffs to withdraw the appeal and apologise.

However, he said the party still has other legal battles before the Supreme Court, including a case involving the Independent National Electoral Commission and its modified timetable for the 2027 elections.

he SDP action, he said, was intended to place limits on what it considers an abuse of INEC’s powers, and to protect opposition parties from actions that could impede their participation in the electoral process.

Nevertheless, Adebayo urged the SDP leadership to now move beyond the internal dispute and concentrate on the 2027 electoral contest.