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The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court ruling that recognised Shehu Gabam as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

The appellate court delivered the decision on Wednesday in a unanimous ruling by a three-member panel made up of Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan and L.A. Ganiyu.

Justice Umaru, who read the lead judgment, declared the decision of Justice M.G. Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja null and void.

The case arose from an appeal filed by the SDP faction led by Prof. Abubakar Gombe against the earlier Federal High Court ruling which had recognised Gabam as the party’s National Chairman.

In reaching its decision, the Court of Appeal found that the Federal High Court had relied on a faulty basis in reaching its judgment.

The appellate court also referred to an earlier decision of the Supreme Court delivered on May 22, 2026, which had ruled in favour of the Gombe-led leadership.

The latest judgment has therefore overturned the Federal High Court decision and returned the leadership matter to the position supported by the earlier Supreme Court ruling.

SDP presidential candidate and counsel to the appellants, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the Court of Appeal resolved all six applications before it in favour of the party leadership he represented.

Adebayo said the appellate court found that the Federal High Court decision recognising Gabam could not stand because it conflicted with the earlier Supreme Court ruling.

The lawyer also disclosed that the Court of Appeal affirmed the nomination of Dr Francis Ajala as the SDP governorship candidate for the Osun State election.

According to Adebayo, the Federal High Court had also made an error by entertaining a case challenging Ajala’s nomination as the party’s candidate.

He said the latest ruling had brought the long-running legal battle over the leadership of the SDP to an end and would provide clearer direction for the Independent National Electoral Commission in dealing with the party.

Adebayo also praised the judiciary for resolving the dispute and providing a legal position that would guide the electoral body.

Reacting to the judgment, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, welcomed the decision and praised the judiciary for bringing the case to a conclusion.

Gombe called on INEC to respect the internal decisions of registered political parties, especially matters involving the choice and nomination of candidates for elections.

He also praised Adebayo and members of the party’s legal team for their work throughout the court proceedings.

Gombe said the judiciary had played an important role in resolving the dispute and supporting the democratic process.

He further thanked members of the media for following the case and informing Nigerians about developments surrounding the party’s leadership crisis.

The SDP chairman urged journalists to continue educating voters and the wider public as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, stressing the need for credible and transparent electoral processes.

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Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to hold the Senator representing Osun East in the National Assembly, Francis Fadahunsi, accountable over alleged comments directing his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The organisation said Fadahunsi was captured on video during a campaign allegedly instructing his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns Francis Fadahunsi (APC), senator representing the Osun East senatorial district, who was on video during a campaign, instructing his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of the state’s August 15 governorship election,” the organisation stated.

It added, “Senator Fadahunsi’s reckless remarks were deliberate and solely aimed at inciting a bloody poll in Osun state.”

Amnesty International further reminded the Nigerian authorities of their responsibility to prevent statements capable of encouraging violence.

The authorities must urgently denounce any statements, live, online or otherwise, which advocate violence.

“Senator Fadahunsi must be held accountable,” it added.

The development followed a viral video in which Fadahunsi was alleged to have directed his supporters to take action against members of the Accord Party, whose governorship candidate is the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.

Adeleke, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday, accused the senator of inciting violence and what he described as “genocide” against members of the Accord Party.

The governor called for a thorough investigation of the senator’s alleged remarks, saying urgent steps were needed to prevent the threats from becoming reality.

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Igbere traditional rulers in Bende Local Government of Abia State have thrown their weight behind the 2027 bid of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu to return to the parliament.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers during Kalu’s courtesy call in the course of his “Meet Your Constituents” tour to the traditional rulers on Wednesday in Igbere, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Eze Joseph Ukaoha Anyanta applauded Kalu for his outstanding legislative service, recalling that no one before him since the return of democracy in 1999 matched his service in terms of quality representation, legislative and infrastructure records.

The traditional rulers also gave their royal blessings to the Deputy Speaker, pledging their unflinching support for his legislative deliveries.

He said: “Yours is an outstanding legislative service, the best since 1999. Yours is different and we are seeing it all over the place. We are giving you our support so that you can do your work in peace.

“Anyone who wishes you evil will not succeed. We pray to God to give you the grace to achieve your lofty dreams for Bende. Whatever we can do to make this a reality, we will do it.”

Similarly, the women, youth of Igbere and non indigenes resident in Igbere also pledged their support for the Deputy Speaker, commending him for quality representation so far.

At Ibina Hall in Onu-Ibina Igbere, the women gathered in their numbers, singing and dancing in solidarity with the Deputy Speaker’s bid.

The same was the situation at Amankalu Igbere where the non indigenes resident in the town also gave their blessings to the Deputy Speaker.

The people lauded Kalu for attracting numerous projects to Bende, noting that all the 13 electoral wards of the constituency have witnessed unprecedented improvement in roads infrastructure, construction and renovation of school building amongst other people-oriented projects.