By Abiola Olawale
In a dramatic turn of events, political intrigues have continued to escalate in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its National Working Committee (NWC) has reportedly expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and imposed a 30-year ban on his association with the party.
The SDP’s NWC cited gross indiscipline and misrepresentation as the primary reasons for El-Rufai’s expulsion.
According to a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, El-Rufai falsely claimed membership in the SDP, despite no official record of his registration.
The party accused him of leveraging its name to promote rival political interests, notably the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and attempting to destabilize the SDP through unauthorized actions.
The NWC’s statement emphasized that El-Rufai’s actions violated the party’s constitution, ideology, and principles, as well as Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
The statement reads in part: ”El-Rufai never registered with the SDP at his ward level as required by the party’s constitution, yet falsely declared on social media that he had joined the party.
“He further forged documents claiming membership and took photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood.”
“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in a manner contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him.
“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 30 years, effective immediately”.
The Party further revealed that it has put the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions on notice regarding the current status of El-Rufai as a non-member of the SDP.
The SDP further said going by this, the former governor of Kaduna state is no longer authorized to act or speak on behalf of the party.
