The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from its ranks, declaring him ineligible to associate with the party in any capacity for the next 30 years.
The decision, announced by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday, follows allegations of fraudulent membership claims, manipulation of internal processes, and attempts to destabilize the party.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, in Abuja, the SDP accused El-Rufai of falsely presenting himself as a member of the party.
The NWC’s decision came after a thorough investigation into what the party described as El-Rufai’s “controversial claims of membership” and “alleged backdoor political activities” that fueled internal divisions and threatened the SDP’s unity and ideological integrity.
According to the statement, El-Rufai never registered with the SDP at his ward level in Kaduna State, as required by the party’s constitution. Instead, he allegedly forged documents to claim membership, sought photo opportunities with suspended party leaders, including National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam, and falsely declared on social media that he had joined the SDP.
These actions, the party said, misled prominent SDP leaders into offering congratulatory messages and support, including a letter from the National Publicity Secretary at El-Rufai’s request.
The SDP further accused El-Rufai of aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while attempting to draw the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.
The statement highlighted his history of intolerance and persecution of the SDP during his tenure as Kaduna State Governor under the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising serious eligibility concerns.
“El-Rufai devoted time to putting up false representations of membership and 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 Governor,” the statement read.
“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him.”
The SDP also revealed that El-Rufai proposed an elaborate welcome ceremony at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja but was advised to register lawfully at his ward in Kaduna State after passing an eligibility interview.
Instead, he allegedly forged documents and falsely claimed to be “number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area,” despite no prior record of his membership.
The party has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to note El-Rufai’s non-member status, warning that he is not authorised to act or speak on behalf of the SDP. The expulsion and 30-year ban took effect immediately.
Reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy, national patriotism, and principled opposition, the SDP urged Nigerians aspiring to join the party to do so through lawful and transparent means.
El-Rufai’s expulsion comes shortly after his announced resignation from the APC, citing a misalignment between his personal values and the party’s direction. His purported defection to the SDP had initially sparked widespread attention, but the party’s latest action has firmly distanced itself from the former governor.