The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced the immediate expulsion of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from the party, simultaneously imposing a 30-year ban on his association with the party in any capacity. The decision, made by the SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), follows extensive investigations into El-Rufai’s controversial claims of membership and alleged attempts to destabilize the party.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the NWC found that El-Rufai “never registered with the SDP at his ward level as required by the party’s constitution,” despite “falsely declar[ing] on social media that he had joined the party.” The party further accused him of “forg[ing] documents claiming membership” and engaging in “backdoor political activities.”
The SDP detailed a series of alleged infractions by the former governor, including “gross indiscipline, misinformation, inducement, and manipulation,” which the party claims fueled internal divisions and threatened its unity and ideological integrity. The party also accused El-Rufai of aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while attempting to draw the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.
“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,” the statement read.
Consequently, El-Rufai is now “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.” This ban extends until Wednesday, July 28, 2055.
The SDP has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies and institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status and non-eligibility for the party’s membership, warning that he is not authorized to act or speak on behalf of the party.
This move by the SDP signals a firm stance against what it perceives as external interference and internal subversion, aiming to safeguard its principles and operational integrity.
