By Shehu Asma'u Abbas (U19MM1O60)
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has officially expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from its membership and imposed a 30 year ban restricting him from any form of association with the party.
The announcement was made earlier today by the SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, following investigations by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) into allegations of procedural violations and misrepresentation by El-Rufai.
According to Aiyenigba, the former governor never registered at his ward level as mandated by the party’s constitution. However, he publicly claimed on social media to have joined the SDP and even allegedly forged documents showing he was number 001 on the SDP membership register in Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area.
Related News
As a result, the party has barred El-Rufai from applying for membership, identifying with the SDP’s name, logo, or insignia, and participating in any internal or external party activities, including campaigns and donations for the next 30 years. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities have reportedly been notified of his expulsion.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from May 2015 to May 2023, left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and announced in March 2025 that he had joined the SDP. He was also noted as a prominent figure in the opposition coalition that recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
As of the time of this report, El-Rufai has not publicly responded to the SDP’s announcement.