SDP expels El-Rufai, bans ex-governor for 30 years

The National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai from the party.

The SDP also banned El-Rufai from participating in any affairs of the party for a period of 30 years.

The party made this known via a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, on Monday, July 28, 2025.

Aiyenigba stated that El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, is ineligible to participate in SDP’s activities for the next 30 years.

Aiyenigba quoted the leadership of the party as accusing El-Rufai of falsely parading himself as a party member, manipulating internal processes, and attempting to destabilise the party through unconstitutional actions and deceptive political maneuvers.

The SDP spokesman noted El-Rufai, who recently dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party, failed to register with the party at his ward level as required by the party’s constitution, “yet falsely declared on social media that he had joined the party.”

Aiyenigba said: “He further forged documents claiming membership and took photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood.

“In line with the Constitution of the SDP, the ideology, manifesto, principles and practices thereof, and in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership, the National Working Committee deliberated on the controversial membership status of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai from Kaduna State who has in recent months been parading himself as a member of the SDP despite the assertion of the Kaduna State Executives that he has not joined the SDP but has instead been promoting the activities of other political party in the State.

“At the initial stage, this individual Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai was given the benefit of the doubt given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation, especially given the fact that he published on his social media handles that he had joined the SDP which led to congratulatory messages from prominent leaders of our party and a letter of support at his request by the National Publicity Secretary.

SDP disowns El-Rufai, warns against false representation

“However, upon thorough inquiry, it turned out that the Kaduna State SDP was right and this individual had not joined the SDP. The following facts emerged: Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai failed to register at his Ward as required by the law despite falsely publishing on social media that he had joined the SDP.

“El-Rufai devoted so much time to putting up false representation of membership by seeking photo opportunities with the suspended National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and some leaders of the SDP who assumed that he had joined the SDP in Kaduna State; El-Rufai was confronted by serious eligibility problems given an unpleasant history of intolerance and persecution of the SDP as an opposition party during his time as the Governor of Kaduna State under the APC.”

The SDP also accused El-Rufai of aligning with another political party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), while trying to draw the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.

Aiyenigba added: “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.

“Consequently, El-Rufai has been banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years, effective immediately.”

The SDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status, saying the former governor is not authorised to act or speak on behalf of the party.

Recall that El-Rufai recently announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressines Congress and defected to the Social Democratic Party.

The Star