Tensions rise within SDP following El-Rufai’s 30-year suspension

Tensions rise within SDP following El-Rufai’s 30-year suspension

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been plunged into turmoil following the National Working Committee’s decision to expel former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, and ban him from any involvement with the party for the next 30 years.

The announcement, made on Monday, accused El-Rufai of falsely claiming party membership, engaging in internal sabotage, and participating in unauthorized political activities.

However, the Kaduna State chapter of the SDP swiftly rejected the expulsion, maintaining that El-Rufai remains a legitimate and respected member of the party, particularly in the North-West region.

State Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah, described the move as a baseless smear campaign orchestrated by recently suspended national officials determined to tarnish El-Rufai’s image and create division within the party.

The former Kaduna State governor joined the SDP after he dumped the All Progressives Congress following what he termed irreconcilable differences.

His defection was celebrated by the then-national chairman, Shehu Gabam, before he was suspended by the party.

Following El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP, there were expectations that the party would be the vehicle for the coalition movement involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, among others, to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The coalition, however, settled for the African Democratic Congress earlier in July.

In a statement signed and made available by the National Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Araba Aiyenigba, in Abuja, on Monday, the party said its NWC decided following thorough investigations into El-Rufai’s controversial claims of membership.

The party also kicked against what they described as “alleged backdoor political activities,” alleging that they had fuelled 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.”

It stated further that the former governor devoted time to putting up a 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,” the statement read.

The party also accused the former governor of aligning with the 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.”

It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status, warning that he was not authorised to act or speak on behalf of the party.

Reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy, national patriotism, and principled opposition, the party urged all Nigerians aspiring to join its ranks to do so through lawful and transparent means.

Reacting, the Kaduna State chapter of the party distanced itself from reports suggesting that El-Rufai had been expelled and banned from associating with the party.

In an exclusive interview with The Press, Kurah described the expulsion reports as “false, mischievous and uncoordinated.”

He said the report was orchestrated by some individuals who had been suspended from the party’s NEC over allegations of misappropriation of party funds and other offences.

According to the state spokesman, those affected by the suspension were allegedly sponsoring elements to discredit perceived opponents, including the former governor.

Kurah said, “What is happening since yesterday and today is clearly a fallout of the SDP NEC meeting held on July 25, 2025.

“At that meeting, both the national chairman and the secretary of the party were suspended for misappropriation of funds and other internal breaches. They were found unworthy of leadership and immediately replaced with a new national leadership.

“Those suspended are the same people behind this false narrative about the expulsion and banning of Malam Nasir El-Rufai from the party.

“They are sponsoring some individuals to publish false information, trying to link their removal to the influence of El-Rufai.”

The SDP spokesman insisted that neither the state chapter nor the national body of the party had expelled or banned El-Rufai, saying such a decision must follow due process and be based on clearly established infractions—which, he said, was not the case.

“To set the records straight, the party is not aware of any expulsion or ban of Malam Nasir El-Rufai. He remains a bonafide and respected member of the party.

“But as far as the Kaduna State SDP is concerned, and from what I know as the state Publicity Secretary, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has not committed any offence against the party.

“He remains not only a member of the party in Kaduna State but also a leader and key stakeholder in the entire North-West region,” Kurah said.

When asked whether the former governor had been formally notified of his alleged expulsion or given an opportunity to respond to any accusations, Kurah dismissed the claims, asserting that no official process was followed and no charges were brought against El-Rufai.

“There has been no official communication to the state chapter regarding any disciplinary action against El-Rufai. That alone shows the so-called expulsion is baseless and a deliberate attempt to tarnish his image,” he said.

Kurah added that the party’s constitution clearly outlines the disciplinary procedure, which requires a formal petition, a fair hearing, and the formation of a disciplinary committee—none of which occurred in this instance. “It’s nothing more than a media gimmick,” he said.

He urged party supporters and the general public to disregard the reported suspension, and called on the media to verify sensitive political claims before publication.

“We appeal to the media to confirm such information with the party’s official structures before reporting. We also encourage members to remain calm and focused. The SDP remains strong and united, and no amount of propaganda will change that,” Kurah stated.