The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from its ranks, slamming him with a 30-year ban from all party activities over allegations of forgery, false representation, and acts of destabilisation.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, said El-Rufai never registered with the SDP at his ward level, as required by the party constitution, yet falsely claimed on social media to have joined the party.
“El-Rufai forged membership documents and posed for photos with suspended party officials to push a false narrative of his involvement with the SDP,” Aiyenigba stated, adding that the former governor’s actions were “marked by gross indiscipline, misinformation, inducement, and manipulation.”
The SDP said El-Rufai’s affiliation with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while allegedly attempting to drag the SDP into an unapproved coalition, further breached party rules and exposed a conflict of interest.
The NWC claimed El-Rufai sought to launch an elaborate welcome ceremony at the national secretariat in Abuja but was advised to first complete the legitimate registration process at his ward in Kaduna State. Instead, he allegedly forged documents, self-registered, and declared himself “number 001” in his ward register.
“This individual failed the basic eligibility interview and bypassed the onboarding process,” the party said, insisting that all relevant records showed he never officially joined the party at the grassroots.
According to the NWC, El-Rufai’s recent political manoeuvres created disaffection and instability within the SDP. The party alleged that he sponsored a group of dissidents to convene an illegal National Executive Committee meeting on July 25.
The party also accused him of having a history of persecuting opposition voices during his time as governor, claiming his association with the SDP was a calculated move to undermine its values and sow division.
“In line with the party constitution and after thorough inquiry, the SDP hereby confirms El-Rufai’s expulsion and bans him from using the party’s name, logo, insignia, or participating in its affairs until July 28, 2055,” the statement said.
The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other authorities to take note of El-Rufai’s “non-member status,” warning that he is not authorized to speak or act on the party’s behalf.
Reaffirming its commitment to ideological clarity, internal democracy, and principled opposition, the SDP called on Nigerians to join its movement lawfully and transparently, without resorting to forgery or deception.
“El-Rufai does not represent the SDP and has no affiliation with the party at any level,” the party concluded.
Leave a comment