Daniel Otera
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of falsely claiming membership and engaging in political manipulation aimed at destabilising the party.
“Mallam El-Rufai is not and has never been a member of the SDP,” said Araba Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday. “He is hereby banned from all party affairs for the next 30 years.”
According to the party, El-Rufai’s name never appeared on the membership register of his ward in Kaduna North Local Government. Yet, he publicly declared his defection to the SDP from the All Progressives Congress (APC), shared forged documents on social media, and posed with suspended party leaders to back his claims.
“He arrogated to himself ‘number 001’ in the party’s membership register at Unguwar Sarki Ward, despite the fact that records show no such registration,” Aiyenigba said.
The party said El-Rufai’s conduct not only misled party members but also threatened internal cohesion.
“At first, we gave him the benefit of the doubt because of his status as a former governor and minister,” Aiyenigba added. “But our investigations revealed a deliberate campaign of false representation.”
The SDP also accused El-Rufai of aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), further violating the party’s principles.
“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act against the SDP’s interest, the party had no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him,” the statement read.
The National Working Committee said El-Rufai had sought to drag the party into an unauthorised political alliance while promoting himself as a new entrant.
“He even proposed an elaborate welcome ceremony at our national secretariat in Abuja,” the party disclosed, “but was advised to go through the proper registration process at his ward level. Rather than comply, he forged his own documents.”
The SDP has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions to disregard any political moves El-Rufai claims to make under its banner.
The party’s message to Nigerians was direct: “We remain committed to transparency, democracy and due process. Anyone wishing to join must do so through the proper channels.”
El-Rufai, who recently left the APC, had cited ideological differences and the ruling party’s current direction as reasons for his resignation.
He has yet to respond to the SDP’s decision.