El-Rufai Expelled from SDP, Accused of Attempts to Destabilize Party

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has taken the extraordinary step of expelling former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai from its ranks, citing multiple violations of party protocols and constitution. In a decisive move announced Monday by National Publicity Secretary Amb. Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party revealed its National Working Committee had ratified the expulsion following similar actions by El-Rufai’s local ward executives in Unguwar Sarki and the Kaduna State chapter.

The expulsion stems from serious allegations of misconduct, including fabricated membership registration where El-Rufai allegedly declared himself “Member 001” in the party’s register without proper ward authorization.

More critically, the SDP accuses the former governor of clandestinely negotiating a coalition with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) without party approval and subsequently sponsoring dissident members to convene an illegal National Executive Committee meeting after failing to push through his agenda.

“The SDP disassociates, disclaims, disfellowships, and excommunicates Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai as a member,” Aiyenigba stated emphatically, citing specific constitutional provisions (Articles 19.1, 19.3(i) and 19.5) that empower the NWC to take disciplinary action.

The punishment includes an unprecedented 30-year ban from party membership effective until July 2055, during which El-Rufai is prohibited from any association with SDP activities, symbols, or affiliations. The party has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies of this decision.

In its statement, the SDP leadership characterized El-Rufai’s actions as “acts of gross indiscipline” motivated by a “selfish agenda to destabilize the party” after his coalition plans faltered. The party took particular exception to his attempts to unilaterally drag the SDP into an ADC alliance through what they describe as “back door” negotiations, violating constitutional protocols for inter-party collaborations.

The expulsion comes at a sensitive political juncture as opposition parties position themselves ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Party officials have warned all members against any cooperation with El-Rufai or recognition of his purported SDP connections, signaling a complete severance of ties with the controversial former governor.