El-Rufai Not Our Member—SDP

The Social Democratic Party, Kaduna State Chapter, has disowned former governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating that he is not a recognised member of the party in Kaduna State.

The former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress dumped the ruling party for the Social Democratic Party a few weeks ago.

The former governor cited a growing misalignment between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his decision.

However, speaking on Friday in a statement, SDP Assistant National Secretary, Northwest Zone, Idris Inuwa, said El-Rufai’s entry into the party remained a rumour as he has yet to follow due process.

“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Mal Nasir El-Rufai, are rumoured to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter in Kaduna State nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships,” Inuwa said.

Inuwa, therefore, advised El-Rufai and his cohorts to follow proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party.

“We advise him and any other interested individuals to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party,” he said.

Inuwa also rejected the purported dissolution of the Kaduna State Working Committee of the SDP, stating that it is unconstitutional and an affront to the principles of due process and internal democracy.

“The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as contained in a letter from the National Secretariat dated 25 February, 2025,” Inuwa said.

Inuwa emphasised that the Kaduna State Executive Committee is a product of a duly conducted State Congress and holds a four-year mandate that remains valid and binding.

He added that the SDP constitution clearly outlines the process and procedure for dissolving a state executive committee, which includes initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and providing a fair hearing transparently.

“The Kaduna State Executive Committee is the legitimate outcome of a duly conducted State Congress, reflecting the will of the party members and adhering strictly to the party’s constitutional provisions. This body holds a four-year mandate that remains valid, binding, and legally recognised throughout its tenure.

“The SDP constitution states very clearly the process and procedure to follow in dissolving a State Exco, which includes but is not limited to initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and providing a fair hearing in a transparent manner before a decision is taken; none of this was done-only the resort to the illegal unilateral letter of dissolution,” Inuwa said.

Inuwa concluded by emphasising that the Kaduna State SDP remains open and welcoming to all prospective members who adhere to the established procedures.

“While we recognise the growing interest of individuals and groups in joining the SDP, we emphasize that there are well-defined guidelines and constitutional provisions governing membership admission. The State Executive Council (Exco) remains open and welcoming to all prospective members who adhere to these established procedures,” he added.