In a bold and dramatic move, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, slapping him with a 30-year ban from any form of association with the party.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) made the announcement on Monday, stating that the decision aligns with both the party’s internal constitution and the Nigerian Constitution, which gives political parties the exclusive right to regulate their membership.
In a statement signed by SDP spokesperson Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party warned members to steer clear of El-Rufai and others who allegedly no longer represent the ideals and interests of the SDP.
“El-Rufai is hereby banished and banned from applying for membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark, or any activities… of the SDP… for a period of 30 years, effective from today,” the statement read.
El-Rufai, who had previously quit the All Progressives Congress (APC), joined the SDP during his political transition. However, tensions escalated after his visible involvement in the opposition coalition, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general election.
The SDP’s action sends a clear signal: internal loyalty matters, and those who flout the rules, no matter how influential, will face serious consequences.
