The Social Democratic Party’s National Working Committee has officially expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai from the party.
El-Rufai has been banned from engaging with the party in any form for the next 30 years.
The party leadership accused him of misrepresenting himself as a member, interfering with its internal operations, and attempting to disrupt the organisation through unconstitutional means and deceitful political strategies.
This was disclosed in a statement signed and released to our correspondent by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, in Abuja on Monday.
According to Aiyenigba, the NWC arrived at the decision after a detailed probe into El-Rufai’s disputed membership claims and alleged backdoor political activities, which the party said have caused internal discord and jeopardised its unity and guiding principles.
The statement read, ” 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.
“In line with the Constitution of the SDP, the ideology, manifesto, principles and practices thereof, and in 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.
“At the initial stage, this individual Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai was given the benefit of the doubt given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation, especially given the fact that he published on his social media handles that he had joined the SDP which led to congratulatory messages from prominent leaders of our party and a letter of support at his request by the National Publicity Secretary.
“However upon thorough inquiry, it turned out that the Kaduna State SDP was right and this individual had not joined the SDP. The following facts emerged: Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai failed to register at his Ward as required by the law despite falsely publishing on social media that he had joined the SDP.
“El-Rufai devoted so much time to putting up false representation of membership by seeking photo opportunities with the suspended National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and some leaders of the SDP who assumed that he had joined the SDP in Kaduna State; El-Rufai was confronted by serious eligibility problems given an unpleasant history of intolerance and persecution of the SDP as an opposition party during his time as the Governor of Kaduna State under the APC.”
The SDP further alleged that the former Kaduna governor had formed ties with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while seeking to involve the SDP in an unsanctioned political coalition.
SDP said, “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 a period of 30 years, effective immediately”.
The SDP urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other concerned authorities to recognise that El-Rufai is not a member of the party, emphasizing that he has no mandate to represent or speak for the organisation in any capacity.
Reiterating its dedication to internal democracy, national interest, and issue-based opposition, the party encouraged all Nigerians wishing to become members to follow due process and uphold transparency in their engagement.
“Apparently to run away from his past, El-Rufai proposed an elaborate welcome ceremony at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja but was politely counseled that such a jamboree was not tenable and he should go home to register at his Ward in Kaduna State after passing simple eligibility interview and on boarding process.
“Rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, this individual simply forged his own documents and self-registered and arrogated to himself “number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area”, as if the Ward had no single member prior to his purported joining. This is contrary to all existing and updated records of the SDP in Kaduna State.”
It will be recalled that El-Rufai recently declared his departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress and claimed to have joined the Social Democratic Party.
He attributed his exit to an increasing disconnect between his personal convictions and the APC’s present course.
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