SDP announces El-Rufai’s expulsion, banishes ex-Gov for 30 years

• SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) also imposed a 30-year ban on El-Rufai and admonished members of the party to refrain from having anything to do with him

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has announced the expulsion of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from the party.

The announcement is contained in a statement on Monday by the party’s spokesman, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba

SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) also imposed a 30-year ban on El-Rufai and admonished members of the party to refrain from having anything to do with him.

SDP noted that the ibanishment of El-Rufai is an exercise of the party’s exclusive right and prerogative to determine its membership as a political party as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and the electoral act.

According to the party, the action was in line with the party’s constitution, ideology, manifesto, principles, and practices.

Parts of the statement read: “El-Rufai is hereby banished and banned from applying for membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark, or any activities, organs, agencies, and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years effective from today.”

SDP had last stated that El-Rufai was not its member and did not represent the party in any capacity or speak for it.

It would be recalled that El-Rufai joined the SDP after quitting the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, El-Rufai is also a key member of the opposition coalition which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as its platform ahead of the 2027 election.