The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed claims by former governor Nasir El-Rufai that the party had merged into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
In a statement on Monday, signed by State Chairman Adamu Idris, the SDP described El-Rufai’s assertion as “spurious, misleading and politically mischievous.”
Idris insisted that the party remains intact across Kaduna and has no plans to dissolve into the ADC.
“The SDP remains one and indivisible in Kaduna State.
At no time did we hold any meeting where such a decision was taken,” Idris said, adding that the party’s structures are “robust and functional across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State.”
The chairman accused El-Rufai of attempting to sow confusion within the party for personal political gain. “Mallam El-Rufai is a non-democrat, a self-serving desperado, an unrepentant bigot, and tyranny personified. His short-lived stay in our party was marked by crisis and division.
Since his exit, peace has returned, and the party has been repositioned for credible opposition politics,” Idris said.
The clarification follows reports that El-Rufai and some opposition leaders announced over the weekend that the SDP in Kaduna had formally collapsed into the ADC during a “strategic coalition meeting” in the state capital.
According to the coalition’s Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah, the move was aimed at strengthening the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Idris, however, said the so-called SDP leaders who participated in the meeting had long been expelled or lacked authority to represent the party. “These are impostors masquerading as SDP members to curry favour with El-Rufai.
They do not represent our party and lack the mandate to speak on its behalf. We urge our members and the public to disregard their antics,” he said.
The SDP assured its supporters that it remains committed to rebuilding as a credible opposition platform in Kaduna State and nationwide. “No amount of falsehood can deter us from that mission,” Idris added.