The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has issued a stern warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of meddling in its internal affairs and attempting to interfere in the party’s decision-making processes.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alfa Mohammed, the SDP expressed deep concern over what it described as INEC’s “undue interference” in matters clearly outside its constitutional mandate. The party alleged that certain officials within the commission have been engaging party stakeholders on internal issues, particularly in states where leadership disputes have emerged.
“The SDP is a law-abiding political party with a clear constitution. INEC’s attempt to interfere in our internal governance is unacceptable and an affront to democratic norms,” the statement read.
According to the party, the Electoral Act and Nigeria’s Constitution do not empower INEC to dictate how political parties resolve internal matters such as leadership structure, delegate selection, or candidacy arrangements.
The party urged the commission to focus on its core responsibilities of conducting free, fair, and credible elections rather than interfering in party politics.
Sources within the SDP hinted that the party may seek legal redress if INEC fails to respect its boundaries.
The statement also called on other political parties, civil society organisations, and democratic institutions to resist what it termed as a creeping overreach by INEC, warning that such interference, if unchecked, could threaten the autonomy of political parties and weaken internal democracy.
