The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, from the party and barred him from associating with it in any form for the next 30 years.
The decision, announced in a strongly worded statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, followed what the SDP described as “thorough investigations” into El-Rufai’s controversial and unauthorised claims of party membership, alleged forgery, and backdoor political scheming.
According to the party, El-Rufai never officially registered at the ward level as required by the SDP Constitution, yet falsely declared his affiliation with the party on social media platforms. He was also accused of forging membership documents and posing with suspended party leaders in a bid to lend credibility to his claims.
“The former governor 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,” the statement read. “He further forged documents claiming membership and took photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood.”
The NWC said El-Rufai’s conduct was marked by “gross indiscipline, misinformation, inducement, and manipulation,” which had the effect of fueling internal divisions and threatening the party’s unity and ideological integrity.
More damning, the party accused El-Rufai of aligning with another political party—the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—while attempting to draw the SDP into an unapproved coalition. He allegedly pursued this political agenda while parading himself as an SDP member, in violation of the party’s internal processes.
“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,” the party declared.
The SDP further described El-Rufai’s political behavior as deceptive and self-serving, accusing him of attempting to destabilize the party through backdoor schemes and unauthorized political arrangements, including the sponsorship of an illegal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for July 25, 2025.
As a result of these findings, the NWC announced a 30-year ban on El-Rufai from the party, effective immediately. This ban prohibits him from applying for membership, identifying with the party’s name, logo, insignia, or participating in any of its affairs nationwide or globally.
“The NWC hereby decides that Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is expelled from the membership of the Social Democratic Party anywhere in Nigeria and globally. He is also banned from associating with the SDP for a period of 30 years,” the party said.
The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status and warned the public that he is not authorized to act or speak on behalf of the party in any capacity.
The statement reaffirmed SDP’s commitment to internal democracy, ideological clarity, and principled opposition, urging Nigerians interested in joining the party to do so through transparent and lawful procedures.
“The SDP welcomes all Nigerians who subscribe to our ideals and have the revolutionary patience to move the people towards the abolition of corruption and the eradication of poverty and insecurity—without cutting corners or engaging in insincerity,” it added.
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