The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and barred him from associating with the party in any form for the next 30 years.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party’s leadership accused El-Rufai of impersonating a member of the SDP, falsifying documents, manipulating internal processes, and engaging in actions aimed at destabilising the party. His conduct, the party said, not only violated the SDP’s constitution but also threatened its unity and ideological foundation.

The expulsion was announced in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, following what was described as a comprehensive investigation into El-Rufai’s controversial claims of SDP membership and his alleged “backdoor political activities.”

According to the party, El-Rufai never registered at the ward level as stipulated by its constitution, yet publicly declared on social media that he had joined the SDP. He allegedly forged membership documents and posed for photographs with suspended party leaders to lend credibility to the false claim.

“In line with the SDP Constitution, our guiding principles, and the Electoral Act, the NWC thoroughly deliberated on the status of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai who has, in recent months, paraded himself as a party member, even though the Kaduna State chapter made it clear that he never joined the party,” the statement said.

Initially, the party said it gave El-Rufai the benefit of the doubt due to his seniority and past roles in public service. But upon further scrutiny, it became evident that his actions constituted deliberate impersonation.

“El-Rufai did not register at his ward, Unguwar Sarki, Kaduna North LGA, despite claiming to have joined the party. Instead, he manufactured a membership register, falsely listing himself as ‘001,’ as though no member existed before him,” Aiyenigba added.

The SDP also accused El-Rufai of fraternising with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and attempting to drag the SDP into a political alliance that had not been sanctioned by the party.

“Having confirmed that El-Rufai has publicly declared for the ADC and continues to act contrary to the ethos of the SDP, we have no choice but to expel and excommunicate him,” the party said.

As a result, El-Rufai is banned from identifying with or participating in any SDP-related activity for the next 30 years. The party urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other authorities to note that he is not a registered member.

The party reiterated its commitment to internal democracy and national development, encouraging new members to join the party through legal and transparent processes.

The statement further revealed that El-Rufai had earlier proposed a high-profile reception at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja to announce his defection but was advised to complete the proper onboarding process at his ward.

Instead, the party said, he chose to “self-register,” fabricate documents, and publicly misrepresent his status in a manner that misled SDP leaders and supporters.

El-Rufai recently announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irreconcilable differences between his personal convictions and the ruling party’s direction.