The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and barred him from associating with the party in any capacity for the next 30 years.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, and made available to the press in Abuja, the SDP accused El-Rufai of falsely claiming party membership, forging documents, and engaging in actions that threaten the party’s unity and integrity.
The decision to expel El-Rufai followed what the NWC described as a thorough investigation into his “controversial claims of membership” and “alleged backdoor political activities,” which the party said have caused internal division and undermined its ideological principles.
“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,” the statement read. “He went further to forge documents claiming membership and staged photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood.”
The party also accused El-Rufai of promoting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while simultaneously attempting to drag the SDP into an unauthorized political coalition—an act the NWC described as deceitful and unacceptable.
Initially, the party said, El-Rufai was given the benefit of the doubt out of respect for his status as a former minister and state governor. However, continued misrepresentation and impersonation led to the party’s decision to act.
The statement further disclosed that El-Rufai had proposed a grand welcome ceremony at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja, which the party declined, urging him instead to follow due process by registering at his ward in Kaduna State. Instead, the former governor allegedly forged a membership register, assigning himself “number 001” in the SDP’s Unguwar Sarki Ward—an act the party described as fraudulent.
“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in ways inconsistent with SDP principles, we are left with no choice but to excommunicate him,” the statement continued. “Effective immediately, El-Rufai is banned from applying for membership or identifying with the SDP’s name, logo, insignia, or activities for a period of 30 years.”
The party has also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status, warning that he is not authorized to speak or act on behalf of the SDP in any form.
The SDP reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and principled opposition politics, urging all prospective members to follow legal and constitutional procedures when joining the party.
El-Rufai had recently announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing a divergence between his values and the current direction of the party. However, the SDP has now firmly denied his claim of defection to its platform, branding it false and self-serving
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