A faction of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has elected Sadiq Gombe as its substantive national chairperson.

Gombe, who had been serving in an acting capacity since 2025, emerged at the party’s national convention held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium on Saturday.

The convention also produced members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including Ugochukwu Uba (deputy national chairman, south), Olu Agunloye (national secretary), Mariam Batubo (national treasurer), Joseph Abu (national organising secretary), Araba Aiyenigba (national publicity secretary), Aderemi Abimbola (national legal adviser), Bello Hussaini (national financial secretary), Sa’adatu Abdullahi (national woman leader), and Daniel Ibe (national youth leader).

Speaking after the swearing-in, Gombe said the SDP would provide the needed alternative platform to “rescue” the country, expressing optimism about the party’s prospects.

Chairman of the convention committee, Usman Bugaje, commended members for their resilience despite prevailing economic challenges, describing their turnout as a demonstration of commitment to political change.

He also criticised what he described as attempts by the ruling party to shrink the political space and stifle opposition.

The development comes amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the SDP, as Gombe and Shehu Gabam both lay claim to the national chairmanship.

In October 2025, the Gombe faction expelled Gabam over alleged financial misconduct. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently listed Gabam as the party’s chairman on its website, following a court of appeal judgment affirming him in the position.