The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) challenging the leadership and candidate recognition of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in by-elections across 12 states.

Gossip News Now reports that the apex court upheld previous judgments directing INEC to recognise SDP candidates, following a Federal High Court order that was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja. INEC had sought to invalidate SDP nominations, arguing that letters submitted by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, and National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, were invalid due to their suspension from the party.

The Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Idris, ruled that the appeal had become academic as the elections had already been conducted and winners sworn in. The court found no grounds to interfere with the decisions of the lower courts and emphasized that there was no live issue for adjudication.

In addition to dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court imposed a ₦2 million cost on INEC’s legal representatives.

“The substratum of this appeal has been dissipated,” the court noted, highlighting that matters regarding the interpretation of the Electoral Act could not be resolved in isolation.

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