The Social Democratic Party has announced the expulsion of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from its ranks, imposing a 30-year ban on him.
This decision was made public through a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.
According to the party’s National Working Committee, the expulsion aligns with the provisions of the SDP constitution, party ideology, manifesto, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside the Electoral Act, which affirms the right of political parties to determine their membership. The SDP warned the public and its members nationwide against associating with El-Rufai, emphasizing that he does not represent the party’s interests and is not recognized as a member at any level.
The NWC called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and relevant institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s ineligibility for party membership, effective until July 28, 2055. The party stated that after reviewing his status, it found that El-Rufai had not formally joined the SDP, despite claims by the Kaduna State chapter that he had no affiliation. The committee said he continued to present himself as a member while promoting activities of rival parties in the state.
“At the initial stage, El-Rufai was given the benefit of the doubt, given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and state governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation, especially given the fact that he published on his social media handles that he had joined the SDP, which led to congratulatory messages from prominent leaders of our party and a letter of support at his request by the National Publicity Secretary.
“However, upon thorough inquiry, it turned out that the Kaduna SSDP was right that El-Rufai has not joined the SDP,” the party said.
The party disclosed that El-Rufai failed to complete the mandatory ward-level registration, despite declaring on social media that he had joined the party. Instead, he allegedly pursued photo opportunities with suspended SDP National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and other party leaders under the assumption that he was a valid member.
El-Rufai was also accused of persecuting the SDP while serving as Kaduna State Governor under the All Progressives Congress. The party cited this history, among other infractions, as justification for his expulsion.
“Rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, El-Rufai simply forged his own documents and self-registered and arrogated to himself ‘number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area,’ as if the ward had no single member prior to his purported joining.
“This is contrary to all existing and updated records of the SDP in Kaduna State.
“His dodgy membership status aside, he has been illegitimately trading with the name of the SDP in various forums and other political transactions around the so-called coalition, despite knowing that he has no such authority and contrary to the declared policy of the SDP National Working Committee and other organs.”
The NWC further alleged that El-Rufai’s activities had destabilized the party at all levels and disrupted the unity and peace that previously characterized the SDP.
“Additionally, despite his opaque status, innumerable have been his destabilising schemes against the SDP at national, state and local levels, such that peace, which was the hallmark of the party, has eluded it since he began fraternising with our leadership and membership.
“The obscene dangling of cash and other inducements and pure guile and utter deception, misinformation and disinformation have characterised his modus operandi, leading to years of comradeship giving way to disunity, distrust, intrigues and manipulations, culminating in sponsorship and financing of grossly unconstitutional and brazenly bizarre pronouncements and gambits.”
The statement confirmed that the expulsion had been ratified following prior actions by El-Rufai’s ward and state chapter in Kaduna. The party emphasized that his actions violated core party principles and cited his public declaration for the African Democratic Congress as further evidence of his intent to undermine the SDP from within.
“The NWC, therefore and hereby, decides that by confirming and ratifying the denunciation of El-Rufai, which was earlier done by his Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area and the Kaduna State Executive Committee in Kaduna, the SDP at all levels disassociates, disclaims, dis-fellowships and excommunicates Elrufai as a member of the SDP.
“And to the extent that he purportedly claims membership by self-registration or any other means, he is consequently expelled from the membership of the Social Democratic Party anywhere in Nigeria and globally.
“The foregoing actions by the NWC, which are in the exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Article 19.1; 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the party constitution 2022, (as amended) are consequent upon the unacceptable acts of El-Rufai’s gross indiscipline, particularly, in respect of the undeniable fact of having publicly declared for the ADC, which is chosen as their so-called ‘coalition’ vehicle and his confirmed acts towards dragging the SDP dishonestly into their so-called coalition through the back door; and his selfish agenda to destabilise the party, having failed in his mission, by way of sponsoring a group of dissidents to call an illegal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party on Friday July 25, 2025. Elrufai is hereby banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark or any activities, organs, agencies and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years effective from today.”
The statement concluded by reaffirming the party’s commitment to principled political engagement, discipline, and national development, calling on Nigerians who share its vision to join the movement.
“We welcome all Nigerians who subscribe to these ideals and have the revolutionary patience to move the Nigerian people towards the abolition of corruption and farewell to poverty and insecurity, without cutting corners and indulging in duplicity or insincerity,” the statement concluded.
