The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced the expulsion of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for a period of 30 years, citing breaches of party constitution and principles.
The decision, revealed in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, on Monday, effectively bars El-Rufai from any association with the SDP until July 28, 2055.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) asserted that the expulsion aligns with the SDP’s foundational documents, ideology, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which grants political parties the exclusive right to determine their membership.
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The SDP warned its members nationwide and the public, advising against any dealings with El-Rufai, as he is no longer considered a member and does not represent the party’s interests.
The SDP also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies to acknowledge El-Rufai’s non-member status, noting his ineligibility for party membership for the next three decades.
According to the NWC, investigations into El-Rufai’s membership status revealed that despite claims from the Kaduna State Executives that he had not formally joined, he had been presenting himself as an SDP member and actively promoting the activities of other political parties within the state.
The party initially gave El-Rufai the benefit of the doubt due to his status as a former minister and governor, expecting him to understand the implications of false representation.
However, further inquiry confirmed that his public assertions on social media about joining the SDP were unfounded.
The statement further accused El-Rufai of failing to register lawfully at his ward as required by party regulations.
Instead, he allegedly “forged his own documents” and “self-registered,” arrogating to himself the “number 001” in the Unguwar Sarki Ward register, a claim the SDP stated contradicted existing party records in Kaduna.
The party also levelled accusations of “illegitimately trading” with the SDP’s name in various political forums and transactions related to a “so-called coalition,” allegedly without the NWC’s authorisation.
The SDP accused El-Rufai of orchestrating “innumerable destabilising schemes” that shattered the party’s peace at national, state, and local levels.
These schemes reportedly involved “obscene dangling of cash and other inducements,” along with “pure guile and utter deception,” leading to widespread disunity and intrigue.
The NWC cited El-Rufai’s alleged public declaration for the ADC (African Democratic Congress) as a “coalition vehicle,” and confirmed attempts to “dishonestly” draw the SDP into this coalition.
His actions, the party claimed, were part of a “selfish agenda to destabilise the party” after his initial mission failed, culminating in his alleged sponsorship of “a group of dissidents to call an illegal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting” on July 25.
The SDP also recalled El-Rufai’s alleged past intolerance and “persecution” of the SDP as an opposition party during his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State under the APC.
Consequent upon these actions, the NWC confirmed and ratified the prior denunciation by his Unguwar Sarki Ward and the Kaduna State Executive Committee.
The SDP now “disassociates, disclaims, dis-fellowships and excommunicates El-Rufai” from its membership globally.
The 30-year ban prohibits him from applying for membership, identifying with the SDP name or insignia, donating to, or participating in any of its activities.
The SDP affirmed its commitment to national patriotism, party discipline, ideological clarity, moral rectitude, honour, integrity, principled opposition, fair contest, and internal democracy.
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It extended an invitation to all Nigerians who align with these ideals and possess the “revolutionary patience” to contribute to the fight against corruption, poverty, and insecurity, “without cutting corners and indulging in duplicity or insincerity.”
