SDP expel, slam 30 years ban on El-Rufai over alleged impersonation

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has imposed a 30-year ban on former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for allegedly misrepresenting himself as a member of the party without fulfilling the required membership protocols.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party made the announcement on Monday in Abuja, accusing El-Rufai of impersonation, unauthorized political dealings under the SDP’s name, and attempting to destabilize the party’s internal structures.

According to a detailed statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, El-Rufai never officially registered with the SDP at the ward level as stipulated by the party’s constitution, yet falsely claimed affiliation on social media and in public appearances.

The statement also noted that despite numerous congratulatory messages following his social media declaration, the Kaduna State chapter confirmed that El-Rufai neither underwent eligibility screening nor completed formal registration.

The NWC alleged that El-Rufai forged documents to self-register as “number 001” in the party’s membership register in Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North LGA, despite not being recognized by local party officials.

The party described his conduct as deceitful and destabilizing, accusing him of sowing division, offering inducements, and manipulating internal party processes for his personal political interests.

Furthermore, the NWC denounced El-Rufai for aligning with another political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and pushing for a coalition arrangement under false pretenses, an action viewed as a direct assault on the SDP’s independence.

Citing Articles 19.1, 19.3(i), and 19.5 of the SDP Constitution (as amended in 2022), the party officially declared El-Rufai expelled and banned from any future association with the SDP for 30 years, effective from July 28, 2025.

This includes any attempt to reapply for membership, participate in party activities, or support the party in any form.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions have been notified of the sanction, which will remain in effect until July 28, 2055.