The Forum of State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has notified the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu of the plan to stage a nationwide peaceful protest on Friday, July 24, 2026, over what It described as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to comply with a Federal High Court judgment on the party’s leadership.
In a statement made available to news men in Abuja on Thursday by the Nassarawa State Chairman and Secretary, Forum ,Hon. Danlami Musa, the stakeholders said the protest would demand the immediate compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026 between Salawu-Adeniyi Mustapha Olaitan v. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3 Ors, delivered on June 24, 2026.
The notification, dated July 23, 2026, was addressed to the Inspector-General of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the statement, the planned protest would be led by stakeholders of the party, the Forum of SDP State Chairmen and candidates who emerged from the party’s primary elections monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC..
The stakeholders said that the protest was being organised pursuant to Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantee citizens the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
According to it, “the rule of law is the foundation upon which every democratic society stands.
“It is on this constitutional foundation that we, the Stakeholders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Forum of State Chairmen, and candidates who emerged from the party’s primary elections monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), respectfully notify the Nigeria Police Force of our intention to embark on a Nationwide Peaceful Protest on Friday 24th July, 2026.
“This notification is made pursuant to Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantee every citizen the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Our protest shall be peaceful, orderly, and conducted strictly within the confines of the law.”
The stakeholders said that the planned demonstration became inevitable because of what they described as INEC’s persistent refusal to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court.
According to it,”Our decision has become inevitable owing to the persistent failure and refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with the valid and subsisting Judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026: Salawu-Adeniyi Mustapha Olaitan v. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3 Ors, delivered on 24th June, 2026.”
The Forum stated that the court had reaffirmed Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam as the legitimate National Chairman of the SDP and made consequential orders affecting the leadership of the party.
The statement pointed out that”In its judgment, the Federal High Court reaffirmed Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam as the legitimate National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party and made consequential orders affecting the leadership of the Party. Consequently, any document, correspondence, nomination, submission, or action purportedly executed or signed by Mr. Sadiq Abubakar and Olu Agunloye contrary to the orders of the Court lacks legal validity and is of no effect whatsoever.”
The forum further alleged that INEC’s continued refusal to implement the judgment had left thousands of duly nominated SDP candidates across the country in uncertainty while undermining the authority of the judiciary.
According to it, “the continued refusal of INEC to give effect to the judgment has subjected thousands of duly nominated SDP candidates across the Federation to uncertainty, jeopardized their constitutional and electoral rights, and undermined the authority of the judiciary. Such conduct not only violates the principle that judgments of courts must be obeyed until set aside by a superior court but also threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.”
The stakeholders insisted that the protest would be peaceful and not intended to disrupt public order or threaten national security.
“We wish to state unequivocally that our protest is not intended to disrupt public peace or threaten national security. Rather, it is a lawful civic action aimed at drawing the attention of INEC, relevant government institutions, the international community, and all defenders of democracy to the urgent need for compliance with the judgment of a competent court.”the statement further declared
It called on the Nigeria Police Force to provide adequate security for participants throughout the protest.
“Accordingly, we respectfully request the Nigeria Police Force to provide adequate security and protection for participants throughout the duration of the peaceful protest, in line with its constitutional duty to protect lives, property, and the fundamental rights of citizens exercising their lawful freedoms.”
The forum also assured security agencies that participants would conduct themselves peacefully throughout the exercise.
“We assure the Nigeria security agencies of our commitment to maintaining peace, order, and discipline throughout the exercise and expect the cooperation of all security agencies in ensuring that the constitutional rights of peaceful protesters are protected.”
A copy of the notification was also sent to the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command.
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