SDP disowns el-Rufai, says he’s not a registered member

Idris Inuwa, assistant national secretary for the north-west zone of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), says Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna governor, is not a member of the party and cannot speak on its behalf.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Kaduna, Inuwa said el-Rufai is not on the party’s membership register and has never been assigned any role.

“It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir el-Rufai has taken it upon himself to appear in various fora, including policy dialogues and stakeholder meetings, purporting to speak for the SDP,” NAN quoted Inuwa as saying.

“Let this be made unequivocally clear: el-Rufai is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP to represent its interests or articulate its positions.

“His actions were carried out entirely without the knowledge, consent, or approval of the national leadership — including our acting national chairman, Sadiq Umar.”

Inuwa reaffirmed the leadership of Umar; Olu Agunloye, the SDP national secretary; and Adewole Adebayo, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

The SDP scribe asked the public to disregard all statements issued by el-Rufai under the party’s name.

He also accused Umar Ardo of promoting a new political group while using the SDP platform.

“We pass a vote of no confidence in el-Rufai. We call for the immediate suspension of Dr Umar Ardo from the SDP. His attempt to use the party’s platform is the height of desperation and a crass display of failure in political brinkmanship,” Inuwa said.

“Let this serve as a final warning: desist from fraudulent activities, or the NEC will convene a special committee to investigate and expose these misdeeds.”

BACKGROUND

On March 10, el-Rufai resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and defected to the SDP.

Announcing his decision, el-Rufai said he had raised several concerns about the “capricious trajectory” within the party, but the leadership allegedly failed to address them.

“Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” the former Kaduna governor said.

El-Rufai subsequently met with leaders of the SDP, including Shehu Gabam, the national chairman, in Abuja.