JUST IN: SDP Expels El-Rufai, Slaps Him with 30-Year Ban

JUST IN: SDP Expels El-Rufai, Slaps Him with 30-Year Ban

The National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, declaring him ineligible to engage with the party in any form for the next 30 years.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, the SDP accused El-Rufai of falsely claiming membership, manipulating internal party processes, and attempting to destabilise the party through unconstitutional and deceptive political tactics.

According to him, the party’s NWC reached the decision following thorough investigations into El-Rufai’s controversial claims of membership and what they described as “alleged backdoor political activities” which has fueled internal divisions and threatened the party’s unity and ideological integrity.

The statement read, ” El-Rufai never registered with the SDP at his ward level as required by the party’s constitution, yet falsely declared on social media that he had joined the party. He further forged documents claiming membership and took photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood.

“In line with the Constitution of the SDP, the ideology, manifesto, principles and practices thereof, and in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership, the National Working Committee deliberated on the controversial membership status of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai from Kaduna State who has in recent months been parading himself as a member of the SDP despite the assertion of the Kaduna State Executives that he has not joined the SDP but has instead been promoting the activities of other political party in the State.

At the initial stage, this individual Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai was given the benefit of the doubt given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation, especially given the fact that he published on his social media handles that he had joined the SDP which led to congratulatory messages from prominent leaders of our party and a letter of support at his request by the National Publicity Secretary.

“However upon thorough inquiry, it turned out that the Kaduna State SDP was right and this individual had not joined the SDP. The following facts emerged: Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai failed to register at his Ward as required by the law despite falsely publishing on social media that he had joined the SDP.

“El-Rufai devoted so much time to putting up false representation of membership by seeking photo opportunities with the suspended National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and some leaders of the SDP who assumed that he had joined the SDP in Kaduna State; El-Rufai was confronted by serious eligibility problems given an unpleasant history of intolerance and persecution of the SDP as an opposition party during his time as the Governor of Kaduna State under the APC.”

SDP also accused the former Kaduna governor of aligning with another political party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), while trying to draw the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.

SDP said, “Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in a manner contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him.

“Consequently, El-Rufai has been banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years, effective immediately”.

The SDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status, warning that he is not authorized to act or speak on behalf of the party.

Reaffirming its dedication to internal democracy, national service, and principled opposition, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) called on all Nigerians interested in joining the party to do so through legal and transparent procedures.

According to the statement, El-Rufai had proposed a grand welcome event at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja. However, he was advised to register properly at his ward in Kaduna State by first undergoing a standard eligibility interview and onboarding process.

“Instead of following due process and registering with the Ward Executives, El-Rufai allegedly forged documents, self-registered, and declared himself ‘number 001’ in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area—ignoring the existence of prior members,” the party stated. “This act directly contradicts all verified and updated party records in Kaduna State.”

It will be recalled that El-Rufai recently resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and announced his defection to the SDP, citing a growing disconnect between his values and the current direction of the APC as the reason for his exit.