Abuja, Nigeria — In a dramatic political shakeup, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and banned him from associating with the party in any form for the next 30 years.
The decision was announced on Monday via an official statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, following a high-level resolution by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the SDP.
El-Rufai Accused of Forgery, False Claims, and Political Intrigue
According to the party’s leadership, El-Rufai falsely paraded himself as a member of the SDP without undergoing any legitimate registration process at the ward level — a core requirement under the party’s constitution.
“He never registered at his ward in Kaduna. Yet, he took to social media claiming to have joined the party, complete with photo ops alongside suspended party leaders to legitimize the falsehood,” the statement read.
The party also alleged that El-Rufai forged documents, self-registered, and declared himself “Member No. 001” of the Unguwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna North LGA, even though the ward had active, long-standing members prior to his claim.
SDP: El-Rufai Tried to Hijack the Party While Aligning With ADC
The NWC claimed that El-Rufai’s real intent was to manipulate internal party processes and draw the SDP into an unauthorized alliance with another political party — the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — where he had already publicly declared support.
“El-Rufai was not only falsely claiming membership, but also actively promoting the ADC while dragging the SDP into backdoor political coalitions,” the party said.
As a result, the NWC unanimously resolved to excommunicate El-Rufai and prohibit him from using the party’s name, insignia, logo, or participating in any SDP activities until 2055.
INEC Notified, Nigerians Urged to Disregard El-Rufai’s Claims
The party has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other regulatory bodies to take note that El-Rufai is not a recognized member of the SDP and holds no authority to speak or act on behalf of the party.
In reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy and national development, the SDP urged all prospective members to follow due process and reject shortcuts or impersonation.
“Apparently trying to whitewash his political past, El-Rufai proposed a grand reception at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja. But he was politely advised to first undergo a simple eligibility screening and register at his ward,” the party revealed.
Instead of following protocol, the former governor allegedly forged membership credentials and bypassed the required onboarding procedures.
Background: El-Rufai’s Defection from APC to SDP Sparks Controversy
El-Rufai recently announced his departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing a growing disconnect between his personal values and the party’s direction. The move generated buzz across political circles, with many speculating about his next steps toward the 2027 elections.
However, his sudden alignment with the SDP — now proven unsubstantiated — appears to have backfired, triggering one of the harshest political sanctions in recent history.
