The Forum of Constitutionally Elected State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has warned against what it described as illegal attempts to alter the party’s leadership structure and convene an unconstitutional meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC).
In a press release issued on Monday, the forum said it decided to address what it called “growing confusion” surrounding the party’s leadership and the purported convening of a NEC meeting by individuals it claimed lacked the constitutional authority to do so.
The statement was signed by the Secretary of the Forum of SDP State Chairmen, Hon. Musa Danlamin.
The forum alleged that certain individuals had announced the replacement of duly elected State Executive Committees with appointed state chairmen and were also attempting to convene a NEC meeting without the involvement of the party’s recognised leadership.
According to the group, such actions violate the provisions of the party’s constitution.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we state clearly and unequivocally that such actions are illegal, unconstitutional, and in direct violation of the Social Democratic Party’s Constitution,” the statement said.
The forum further revealed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already been notified of the alleged unconstitutional activities. It referenced the commission’s position in a previous case involving the Labour Party, where INEC declined to recognise the removal of elected state, local government and ward executives because it did not comply with the party’s constitutional provisions.
It argued that the same principle of due process should apply in the current situation within the SDP.
The state chairmen also criticised what they described as INEC’s reliance on a court judgment to justify an alleged change in the party’s leadership, describing such interpretation as legally unsustainable.
They explained that the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025 and later affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/1234/2025 dealt strictly with the nomination of twelve candidates for a bye-election.
According to the forum, the courts did not at any point pronounce on or alter the leadership structure of the SDP.
“The judgment cannot be interpreted, directly or indirectly, as conferring authority on any individual to assume the position of Acting National Chairman, nor does it in any way undermine or invalidate the duly elected National Chairman of the party,” the forum said, referring to Shehu Musa Gabam.
The group added that the matter is still subject to pending appeals before the Court of Appeal in Suit Nos. CA/ABJ/CV/126/2026 and CA/ABJ/CV/127/2026, stressing that any attempt to rely on the earlier judgment to alter the leadership of the party was premature and legally defective.
Citing provisions of the SDP Constitution (2022 as amended), the forum stated that Section 13.1 establishes the National Chairman as the chief executive officer and leader of the party.
It also noted that Section 14.3 provides that no meeting of any organ of the party can validly hold in the absence of the chairman of that organ.
The forum explained that in the case of the NEC, no meeting can lawfully take place or valid decisions taken without the presence and authority of the National Chairman, who constitutionally presides over the committee.
According to the statement, the combined provisions of Sections 13.1(iv) and 14.4(ii) also vest the authority to preside over NEC meetings solely in the National Chairman, while Section 14.4(i) states that failure to comply with the rules governing party meetings renders any decisions taken null and void.
“In the light of these clear constitutional provisions, any purported NEC meeting convened, presided over, or conducted by persons other than the duly elected National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party is unconstitutional, invalid, and of no legal effect whatsoever,” the forum said.
It also condemned alleged attempts to replace duly elected state executive committees with appointed state chairmen in order to manipulate the composition of the NEC, describing the move as a direct assault on the democratic foundation of the party.
The forum further informed the public that the Court of Appeal was scheduled to sit on Monday, March 9, 2026, to hear matters relating to the judgment being relied upon by INEC.
It reiterated that the judgment in question did not address, determine or alter the leadership of the party in any way.
Consequently, the forum warned party members, institutions and the general public that any meeting, resolution or decision arising from a purported NEC meeting convened by unauthorised persons would be considered null and void and incapable of conferring any legal authority within the party.
“The Social Democratic Party is a party governed by law, constitution and democratic mandate, not by arbitrary appointments or unconstitutional actions,” the forum stated.
It added that any attempt to subvert the party’s constitutional order would be resisted through all lawful and democratic means.
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