In a dramatic political crackdown, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, slapping him with a 30-year ban from all party affairs.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) made the announcement on Monday, accusing El-Rufai of impersonation, forgery, and attempting to hijack the party’s internal structure through underhanded tactics and political manipulation.
According to a statement signed by SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba and made available to The News Chronicle, the former governor was never a registered member but falsely claimed affiliation, shared doctored documents, and took staged photos with suspended party leaders to create a “false narrative” of legitimacy.
“El-Rufai never registered at his ward as required by our constitution, yet declared on social media that he had joined the SDP,” the statement read. “He forged documents, staged photos, and misled party members, all while actively promoting another party.”
The SDP said El-Rufai was operating a covert political agenda, aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and tried to drag the SDP into an unauthorized coalition.
After what the party described as a “thorough investigation,” the NWC concluded that El-Rufai’s actions were a direct threat to the party’s unity and ideological foundations.
“El-Rufai has been banished and banned from applying for membership or identifying with the SDP in any form for 30 years, effective immediately,” the statement declared.
The party has also alerted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and warned the public that El-Rufai is not authorized to speak for or represent the SDP in any capacity.
Key Allegations:
Falsely claimed SDP membership
Forged party documents
Took photos with suspended leaders to legitimize claims
Promoted ADC while masquerading as SDP
Tried to engineer an unauthorized political coalition
The ban is the latest in a string of political twists surrounding the controversial former governor, who has remained a polarizing figure since leaving office in 2023.
