JUST-IN: SDP Expels Ex-Kaduna Gov El-Rufai

The National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai from the party, declaring him ineligible to associate with the party in any capacity for the next 30 years.

The party’s NWC accused El-Rufai of impersonating an SDP member, forging membership documents, manipulating internal party processes, and attempting to destabilise the party through unconstitutional means and deceptive political manoeuvres.

SDP National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Rufus Araba Aiyenigba, in a statement conveyed the party’s decision in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday.

According to Aiyenigba, the decision followed extensive investigations into El-Rufai’s alleged backdoor political activities and false membership claims, which the party said had caused internal divisions and threatened its unity and ideological foundation.

“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.

“He went further to forge documents claiming membership and staged photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to validate the false narrative,” the statement read.

The NWC explained that despite initial goodwill extended to El-Rufai due to his status as a former minister and governor, investigations revealed that he had never completed the basic membership process in Kaduna State but instead working to undermine the party while aligning with another political group.

“At no time did El-Rufai register with the Ward Executives in his local government area. Rather, he self-registered and falsely claimed to be member ‘001’ of the SDP register in Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North LGA—an action not supported by any credible party records.”

The statement further accused El-Rufai of previously persecuting the SDP during his tenure as governor under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and of seeking to hijack the party for personal political gain.

In a more damning allegation, the party claimed that El-Rufai was simultaneously associating with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while attempting to drag the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.

“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in ways contrary to the principles of the SDP, the party has no choice but to excommunicate him,” the statement said.

The party also declared that El-Rufai is henceforth prohibited from applying for membership or associating in any form with the SDP, including using its name, logo, or participating in party affairs, for the next 30 years, effective immediately.

The SDP also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies to note that El-Rufai is not, and has never been, a registered party member, and therefore not authorised to speak or act on its behalf.

Reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy and principled opposition, the SDP urged Nigerians interested in joining the party to follow transparent and lawful procedures.

“Apparently seeking to rebrand himself politically, El-Rufai had proposed an elaborate welcome ceremony at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja,” the statement added.

“However, he was politely advised to go through the proper registration process in his ward, including eligibility screening. Instead, he chose to forge documents and mislead the public,” the party said.

El-Rufai had recently announced his resignation from the APC, citing a misalignment between his values and the direction of the ruling party.

He claimed to have joined the SDP, triggering congratulatory messages from political observers and some party figures.

However, the SDP insists his declaration was fraudulent and part of a broader scheme to infiltrate the party without due process.