Former Kaduna State’s Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has been expelled from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
He was formally expelled from the SDP Kaduna ranks and imposed with a 30-year ban on his participation in any of its activities, over what the party described as fraudulent and destabilising conduct, incompatible with the party’s principles.
In a statement issued today Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP accused El-Rufai of falsely claiming membership of the party, engaging in impersonation, manipulating internal structures, and using the party’s name for political trading without authorisation.
According to the party, El-Rufai never registered properly at the ward level — a mandatory requirement under the SDP and Nigerian electoral law — despite publicly declaring on social media that he had joined the party. The statement noted that his claim triggered congratulatory messages from party leaders and even drew a letter of support from the National Publicity Secretary at his request.
However, an internal investigation revealed that El-Rufai neither completed the mandatory registration process at his Unguwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area nor underwent the prescribed eligibility interview and onboarding. Instead, the party alleges, he forged documentation and proclaimed himself “Number 001” in the party’s ward register — a move the SDP described as fraudulent and disrespectful to the local party structure.
The SDP said its Kaduna State chapter was the first to raise red flags about El-Rufai’s purported membership, warning that he was simultaneously promoting the activities of another political party within the state while parading himself as an SDP member.
The statement listed multiple allegations against the former minister and governor, including false representation and manipulation of party leaders for photo ops, past intolerance and persecution of the SDP while he was Kaduna State Governor under the APC, and an attempt to stage an elaborate welcome event at the National Secretariat, which was denied.
He was also accused of engaging in political dealings using the SDP’s name without proper authority, dragging the party into a “so-called coalition” against its declared policy, and financing and backing dissident factions within the SDP to destabilise its leadership.
The statement also accused El-Rufai of offering inducements and orchestrating misinformation campaigns that have undermined party cohesion and thrown its once stable ranks into disarray.
Citing Article 19.1, 19.3(i), and 19.5 of the SDP Constitution (2022 as amended), the National Working Committee (NWC) ratified the earlier denunciation of El-Rufai by the ward and state executive in Kaduna and declared his expulsion from the party “in Nigeria and globally.”
Furthermore, the party announced a 30-year ban, prohibiting El-Rufai from identifying with the SDP in any form — including use of its name, logo, or institutions — or participating in any of its activities, whether directly or indirectly. The restriction is effective from July 28, 2025, and will remain in force until July 28, 2055.
The party has also notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies of El-Rufai’s non-member status.
“The SDP remains committed to national patriotism, party discipline, ideological clarity, moral rectitude, candour, honour, integrity, principled opposition, fair contest and internal democracy,” the statement added.
It concluded with a reaffirmation of the party’s openness to Nigerians who embrace its values without “cutting corners” or engaging in “duplicity or insincerity.”
