The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, from the party, imposing a 30-year ban on his participation in any of its activities.
In a strongly worded statement released in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP accused El-Rufai of impersonating a party member, forging documents, and engaging in backdoor political activities aimed at destabilizing the party.
According to the NWC, El-Rufai never formally registered with the SDP at the ward level as required by the party’s constitution, yet falsely claimed membership on social media.
The former governor was also accused of taking photo opportunities with suspended party leaders and circulating forged membership documents to bolster his claim.
“El-Rufai’s conduct was marked by gross indiscipline, misinformation, inducement, and manipulation, which threatened the unity and ideological integrity of the party,” the statement read.
The SDP further alleged that El-Rufai aligned himself with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while simultaneously attempting to drag the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.
The party stated: “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.”
Effective immediately, El-Rufai is barred from applying for membership or associating with the SDP in any capacity, including the use of its name, logo, insignia, or participation in party affairs for the next three decades.
The SDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant institutions to disregard any claims by El-Rufai of affiliation with the party, warning that he is not authorized to act or speak on its behalf.
The NWC noted that El-Rufai’s earlier claim of membership triggered congratulatory messages from party leaders, and even led to a letter of support issued by the National Publicity Secretary at his request.
However, subsequent investigation by the party confirmed that El-Rufai had not fulfilled the mandatory registration process at his Unguwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area.
“Rather than complete a lawful registration, he forged documents and arrogated to himself ‘number 001’ in the ward’s membership register—as though no other member had existed before him,” the statement alleged.
Beyond his disputed membership, the SDP accused El-Rufai of trading on the party’s name in political forums and coalition talks without authorization, further destabilizing party operations at local, state, and national levels.
In conclusion, the NWC reaffirmed the expulsion first initiated by the Kaduna State chapter of the party, describing El-Rufai’s actions as deceptive, unauthorized, and injurious to the SDP’s identity and values.
The party reiterated its commitment to internal democracy, ideological clarity, and principled opposition, urging Nigerians seeking to join its ranks to do so through transparent and lawful means.