The Social Democratic Party has announced plans to conduct fresh governorship primaries in Gombe and Nasarawa states following the withdrawal of its previously nominated candidates.
The party disclosed this in a notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission dated August 24, 2026, informing the electoral body of its decision to conduct replacement primaries in the two states.
The exercise, scheduled for Saturday, September 5, will be conducted through the direct primary system and is expected to begin at 11am.
In the notice signed by the SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, and the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, the party requested INEC to monitor the exercise.
The notice, titled, “Notice of Party Primary Elections to Replace Governorship Candidates of the Social Democratic Party,” stated that the exercise became necessary because the party’s earlier candidates had withdrawn from the governorship race.
The party said, “We wish to notify and invite the commission to monitor the primary elections to substitute candidates for the governorship in view of the elected candidates who have withdrawn from the race.”
It added that the replacement primaries would be conducted in accordance with the arrangements outlined in the notice.
In Gombe State, the primary election will take place at the SDP State Secretariat in Gombe, while the exercise in Nasarawa State will be held at Ta’al Hotel in Lafia.
The party also forwarded the letters and affidavits confirming the withdrawals of the candidates who had earlier emerged as its governorship flag bearers.
The fresh primaries are expected to produce new candidates who will represent the SDP in the forthcoming governorship elections in the two states.
