The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has officially expelled former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai from its ranks and imposed a 30-year ban on his membership, effective immediately. This disciplinary action was announced by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.
The NWC stated that the expulsion aligns with the party’s constitution, ideology, manifesto, principles, and the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act regarding exclusive party membership rights. SDP accused El-Rufai of self-registering and forging membership documents without lawful registration with the Kaduna State Ward Executives. He allegedly appropriated the membership number "001" in the Unguwar Sarki Ward of Kaduna North Local Government Area, despite records showing otherwise.
The party also disassociated itself from any political negotiations purportedly conducted by El-Rufai with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, labeling such actions a breach of SDP’s constitution and rejecting any form of cooperation initiated by him.
SDP warned all members nationwide to avoid any dealings with El-Rufai, emphasizing that he no longer represents SDP interests and has no legitimate claim to party membership until July 28, 2055. The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies to recognize his non-membership status.
El-Rufai had previously quit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined SDP but is also a key figure in the opposition coalition adopting ADC ahead of the 2027 elections, which may have contributed to the tension.
This decisive move by SDP signals a firm stance on enforcing party discipline and safeguarding its internal governance against what it describes as deceit and unauthorized actions by high-profile defectors.
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