El-Rufai in troubled waters as Kaduna SDP disowns ex-gov’s membership of party

The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has distanced itself from former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating that he is not a recognized member of the party in the state.

El-Rufai, along with several members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently announced his decision to leave the ruling party for the SDP, citing ideological differences. The former governor expressed his disappointment with the APC’s leadership, alleging that the party had deviated from the progressive principles on which it was founded.

“As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. Since 2013, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the APC would continue to align until I chose to retire from politics,” El-Rufai stated in a press release shared on his X handle.

However, at a press conference held in Kaduna on Friday, Idris Inuwa, the Assistant National Secretary (Northwest Zone) of the SDP, dismissed claims of El-Rufai’s membership, asserting that no formal process had been followed to admit him into the party.

“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Nasir El-Rufai, are being rumored to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter nor the leadership of the Unguwar Sarki Ward has any record of these memberships,” Inuwa said.

He advised El-Rufai and others seeking to join the party to adhere to the proper registration procedures.

“We advise him and any other interested individuals to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party,” he added.

In addition to addressing El-Rufai’s status, Inuwa also rejected the purported dissolution of the Kaduna State SDP Working Committee. He described the move as unconstitutional and a violation of the party’s internal democratic processes.

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“The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as contained in a letter from the National Secretariat dated February 25, 2025,” Inuwa stated.

He emphasized that the committee was a legitimate product of a duly conducted state congress and holds a four-year mandate that remains valid. According to him, the SDP constitution outlines clear procedures for dissolving a state executive committee, including conducting an investigation, setting up a review panel, and ensuring a transparent and fair hearing. None of these steps, he argued, had been followed.

“The SDP constitution states very clearly the process and procedure for dissolving a State Exco, which includes but is not limited to initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and providing fair hearing transparently before a decision is taken. None of this was done—only the resort to an illegal unilateral letter of dissolution,” he said.

Despite the controversy, Inuwa reaffirmed the Kaduna SDP’s openness to new members, provided they adhere to the party’s guidelines.

“While we recognize the growing interest of individuals and groups in joining the SDP, we emphasize that there are well-defined guidelines and constitutional provisions governing membership admission. The State Executive Council remains open and welcoming to all prospective members who adhere to these established procedures,” he concluded.

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