SDP Expels Nasir El-Rufai, Bans Him for 30 Years Over Forgery, Impersonation

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has officially expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and barred him from associating with the party for 30 years.

The party cited allegations of forgery, impersonation, and attempts to disrupt the party’s internal operations.

In a strongly-worded statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, the SDP accused El-Rufai of falsely claiming membership without completing the mandatory registration process at his ward level.

“El-Rufai never officially registered with the SDP as required by our constitution, yet he publicly declared on social media that he had joined the party,” the statement read.

The party further alleged that El-Rufai engaged in document forgery, manipulated internal affairs, and maintained ties with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while misleading SDP stakeholders and the public.

The SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) launched an investigation following El-Rufai’s announcement, which initially caused confusion and mixed reactions within the party.

Despite his high-profile status as a former minister and governor, the probe revealed that El-Rufai had not legitimately joined the SDP but instead fabricated his membership.

“He spent considerable time creating a false impression by arranging photo opportunities with suspended National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and other leaders who assumed he was a member,” the statement added.

The SDP also condemned El-Rufai’s self-declaration as ‘Number 001’ on the party’s membership register in his ward, labeling it an act of forgery and “political arrogance.”

The party clarified that no such record exists in Kaduna State’s membership database.

Also, the SDP stated that El-Rufai’s recent affiliation with the ADC is proof of his political insincerity, accusing him of engaging with another party while falsely representing himself as an SDP member.

“Having confirmed his public declaration for the ADC and his actions contrary to SDP’s principles, the party has no choice but to sever ties and expel him,” the statement noted.

As a result, the SDP has imposed a 30-year ban on El-Rufai, effective immediately, prohibiting him from seeking membership, identifying with the party, or participating in its activities.

The party also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political observers, and the Nigerian public to disregard any claims by El-Rufai of representing the SDP.

“We urge all prospective members to join the SDP lawfully and transparently. There will be no tolerance for backdoor politics or manipulation,” the party emphasized.

This development follows El-Rufai’s recent exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he cited ideological differences. His initial move to the SDP had sparked interest, but the party now alleges that his membership was a fabrication, including an attempted but rejected “grand welcome ceremony” in Abuja.

“Instead of registering properly, he forged documents and fraudulently assigned himself ‘Number 001’ in the SDP’s Unguwar Sarki Ward register,” the statement revealed.

At the time of reporting, El-Rufai had not responded to the expulsion or the allegations against him.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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