Get Guardian on GoogleThe Social Democratic Party (SDP) has secured another legal victory against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reaffirming its right to field candidates and asserting its internal autonomy.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, October 17, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, presided over by Justice Banjoko JCA and a panel of judges, upheld the Federal High Court’s August 2025 judgment in favour of the party.
The appellate court dismissed INEC’s appeal, affirming that the commission cannot disregard official communications from the SDP’s Acting National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, and National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye.
The legal tussle began earlier in the year when INEC refused to recognise letters signed by the two officials, claiming that internal suspensions within the party invalidated their authority.
The commission’s stance effectively barred the SDP from submitting names of candidates for an upcoming by-election.
SDP, however, challenged the decision, arguing that both Dr. Abubakar and Dr. Agunloye were constitutionally empowered to act on behalf of the party.
The Federal High Court ruled in their favour in August, and the latest judgment from the Court of Appeal has now reaffirmed that position.
“This judgment is a strong affirmation of the party’s constitutional and legal rights,” said Dr. Agunloye, reacting to the ruling. “The horse is galloping.”
He alleged that the conflict was worsened by “internal interference and vested interests” within both INEC and the party, but noted that the courts had now settled the matter conclusively.
The decision comes as the SDP moves to stabilise its leadership ahead of the installation of a new national chairman next week.
With two back-to-back victories at the Federal High Court and now the Court of Appeal, the SDP says it is now positioned to participate fully in forthcoming elections, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to reassert its relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
