SDP bans el-Rufai for 30 years over ‘forgery of membership documents’

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, declaring him ineligible to associate with the party in any capacity for the next 30 years.

In a statement issued in Abuja by Araba Aiyenigba, SDP’s national publicity secretary, the party said el-Rufai never formally registered as a member at the ward level, as required by the party’s constitution.

Aiyenigba said despite this, the former governor had publicly claimed membership on social media and “forged documents” to back his assertions.

The party accused el-Rufai of manipulating internal party processes, spreading misinformation, and attempting to destabilise the party through unconstitutional and deceptive political maneuvers.

The party also alleged that he aligned himself with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and sought to drag the SDP into an unauthorised political coalition.

“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act contrary to SDP principles, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him,” the statement reads.

The SDP asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies not to recognise el-Rufai as its member. The SDP said the former Kaduna governor is not authorised to represent or speak for the party.

“Consequently, El-Rufai has been banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years, effective immediately,” the statement reads.

“In line with the constitution of the SDP, the ideology, manifesto, principles and practices thereof, and consonance with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, the electoral act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership, the national working committee deliberated on the controversial membership status of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai from Kaduna State who has in recent months been parading himself as a member of the SDP despite the assertion of the Kaduna state executives that he has not joined the SDP but has instead been promoting the activities of other political party in the state.”