The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and banned him from all party activities for the next 30 years, citing allegations of forgery, impersonation, and anti-party activities.
The decision, which has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, was announced in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Araba Aiyenigba, on Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) arrived at the decision after a thorough investigation into El-Rufai’s alleged controversial membership claims and what the party described as “backdoor political activities that threatened the unity and integrity of the party.”
“El-Rufai 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,” Aiyenigba said.
The party accused El-Rufai of forging membership documents and parading himself as an SDP stalwart despite never completing the lawful registration process. The statement alleged that he falsely declared himself as ‘member number 001’ of Unguwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area, an action the SDP described as a brazen impersonation.
The NWC stated that while El-Rufai’s social media announcement of joining the SDP initially earned him congratulatory messages from party leaders and even a letter of support from the National Publicity Secretary at his request, further investigations revealed that the Kaduna State SDP chapter was correct in asserting that he never lawfully registered.
“At the initial stage, this individual was given the benefit of the doubt given his status as an elderly person, a farmer Minister, and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation,” the statement read. “However, upon inquiry, it turned out that El-Rufai had not joined the SDP as required by law.”
SDP further accused the former Kaduna Governor of aligning with another political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while plotting to drag the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.
“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him,” the NWC stated.
The statement added that El-Rufai devoted time to “photo opportunities” with the party’s suspended National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, and other leaders to reinforce his false claim of membership.
The party announced that El-Rufai is banned from applying for membership or associating with the SDP in any form for 30 years, effective immediately.
It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant authorities to take note that El-Rufai is not a member of the SDP and is not authorized to speak or act on behalf of the party in any capacity.
“Consequently, El-Rufai has been banished and banned from identifying with the name, insignia, logo, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years,” the party declared.
The NWC reaffirmed the party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and principled opposition as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections.
“We urge all Nigerians aspiring to join the SDP to do so through lawful and transparent means. Our doors are open to those who share our values and ideology,” the statement said.
El-Rufai, who served as Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently announced his resignation from the ruling party, citing a “misalignment between his personal values and the current direction of the APC.”
He claimed at the time that he was joining the SDP to align with a party that shared his democratic principles. However, today’s expulsion and ban have raised questions about his next political move ahead of 2027.
Political analysts believe this development could signal a turbulent road for El-Rufai, who has long been regarded as a strategic political player in northern Nigeria. Some suggest he may now fully align with the ADC or consider forming a new political movement.
For now, the SDP’s decision marks one of the most dramatic expulsions of a high-profile politician in recent Nigerian political history.
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