The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has banished former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and barred him from participating in the party’s activities for 30 years over allegations of impersonation, anti-party conduct, and attempts to destabilise the organisation.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced the decision following an extensive investigation into El-Rufai’s controversial membership claims.
The party stated that El-Rufai was never a registered member of the SDP, having failed to lawfully register at his ward, Unguwar Sarki in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Despite this, he allegedly announced on social media that he had joined the party, prompting congratulatory messages and goodwill from several SDP leaders.
According to the NWC, “Rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, this individual 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.”
The party further accused El-Rufai of capitalising on photo opportunities with suspended SDP National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, and other unsuspecting leaders to lend credibility to his false claims of membership.
The statement also alleged that the former governor, now aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he declared as the chosen vehicle for a coalition, engaged in destabilising activities within the SDP. These include backing an “illegal” National Executive Committee meeting and promoting the party’s name without authorisation in various political dealings.
In confirming its decision, the NWC declared,
“The NWC therefore and hereby decides that by confirming and ratifying the denunciation of Nasir Ahmad Elrufai which was earlier done by his Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area and Kaduna State Executive Committee in Kaduna State, the SDP at all levels disassociates, disclaims, disfellowships, excommunicates Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai as a member of the SDP; and to the extent that he purportedly claims membership by self registration or any other means, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is consequently expelled from the membership of the Social Democratic Party anywhere in Nigeria and globally.”
The NWC said El-Rufai’s “acts of gross indiscipline” were contrary to the SDP Constitution and its core values of party discipline, moral integrity, and ideological clarity.
Consequently, El-Rufai is prohibited from seeking or obtaining membership, or identifying with the party’s name, symbol, organs, or activities until July 28, 2055. The party also notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions of its decision.
Reaffirming its commitment to principled opposition and internal democracy, the SDP invited Nigerians who share its values of transparency and ideological purpose to join its movement towards what it called the “Abolition of Corruption and Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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