The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from its ranks and imposed a 30-year ban preventing him from associating with the party in any capacity.
In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, the SDP accused El-Rufai of falsely claiming membership, forging party documents, and attempting to undermine the party through unconstitutional actions and deceptive political alliances.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) said it reached the decision after conducting a detailed investigation into El-Rufai’s public claims of joining the SDP and his alleged behind-the-scenes political activities, which the party said have caused internal division and threatened its ideological foundation.
“El-Rufai never completed the legally required registration at his ward level, yet falsely declared on social media that he had joined the SDP,” the statement noted. “He went further to forge membership documents and posed for photographs with suspended party officials to reinforce the lie.”
Initially given the benefit of the doubt due to his public status as a former minister and governor, El-Rufai was ultimately found to have not followed due process. The SDP said he fabricated his own membership credentials, claiming the first registration number in his local ward an act that contradicted existing records.
The party also accused El-Rufai of aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while attempting to drag the SDP into an unauthorized political coalition.
“Having confirmed that he publicly declared support for the ADC and continued to act in ways contrary to the values and constitution of the SDP, the party has no option but to sever all ties,” the statement read.
Effective immediately, El-Rufai is barred from applying for membership or identifying with the party’s name, symbols, or activities for the next 30 years. The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies to disregard any claims El-Rufai may make on behalf of the SDP.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and internal democracy, the SDP called on all prospective members to follow proper registration procedures rather than exploit political shortcuts.
It also revealed that El-Rufai had proposed a grand reception at the party’s Abuja headquarters, which was declined, and he was advised instead to register properly at his ward in Kaduna an instruction he reportedly ignored in favor of fabricating documents to back his false claims.
El-Rufai had recently announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing a growing divergence between his values and the party’s direction.
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