The SDP declared that El-Rufai is barred from associating with the party in any form for the next 30 years.
Party leaders accused El-Rufai of pretending to be a member, interfering with internal matters, and attempting to destabilise the party through unlawful tactics and misleading actions.
This decision was communicated in a statement released in Abuja on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba.
He said the party’s leadership reached the decision after a detailed investigation into El-Rufai’s claims of membership and his alleged behind-the-scenes political activities, which have caused division and threatened the party’s unity and values.
The statement said El-Rufai never completed the registration process at the ward level, as required by the party’s constitution, yet he falsely announced on social media that he had joined the SDP. He was also accused of forging documents to support this claim and taking pictures with suspended party leaders to bolster the falsehood.
It explained that the NWC, in line with the party’s constitution, values, and the Nigerian constitution, reviewed El-Rufai’s situation. Despite the state chapter of the party asserting he had not registered, El-Rufai continued presenting himself as a member while supporting other political parties.
Initially, the party said it gave El-Rufai the benefit of the doubt due to his experience as a former minister and governor, assuming he understood the consequences of misrepresentation. His social media posts had led to congratulations from party members and a support letter issued by the National Publicity Secretary upon his request.
However, after an internal review, the party confirmed he had never registered at his ward. It noted that El-Rufai invested effort into creating a false narrative, taking photos with the suspended national chairman and other leaders who assumed he had properly joined. His record as a former governor was also cited as being problematic for the SDP due to his actions against the party when he was with the APC.
The SDP further alleged that El-Rufai aligned with the African Democratic Congress and attempted to involve the SDP in a political coalition without approval.
The party said it had no choice but to completely cut ties with El-Rufai after confirming his public declaration for the ADC and actions that go against SDP values.
As a result, El-Rufai is banned from applying for membership, identifying with the SDP’s name or symbols, or participating in its activities for 30 years, starting immediately.
The SDP urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and other authorities to acknowledge El-Rufai’s non-member status and said he is not permitted to act or speak for the party.
The party reiterated its commitment to democratic values, patriotism, and principled opposition, encouraging interested Nigerians to follow lawful channels to join.
It noted that El-Rufai had proposed a large-scale welcome event at the party’s Abuja headquarters, but was advised instead to register properly in his ward after passing an eligibility screening.
Instead of registering through the correct process, El-Rufai allegedly forged membership documents and assigned himself “number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area”, ignoring existing records.
El-Rufai had recently announced he was leaving the All Progressives Congress to join the SDP, citing a conflict between his personal beliefs and the APC’s current direction.
