The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has made it clear that El-Rufai is not a member of the SDP, nor is he allowed to speak on behalf of the party. This announcement came on Friday during a press briefing in Kaduna.
Inuwa Idris, who is the SDP Zonal Secretary for the North-West, said the party was shocked that the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had been appearing at various events while presenting himself as a party representative.
“It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir El-Rufai has taken it upon himself to appear in various fora… purporting to speak on behalf of the Social Democratic Party,” Idris said.
No Mandate Given to El-Rufai, SDP Insists
Idris explained that El-Rufai is not authorised, recognised, or mandated by the SDP in any form.
“Let this be made unequivocally clear to all: Malam El-Rufa’i is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP in any capacity,” he added.
According to him, El-Rufai’s actions were done without the knowledge or consent of the national leadership. He stressed that the former governor has never attended any SDP programmes, and his name does not appear in the party’s membership register.
SDP Backs Current Leadership, Warns Public
The SDP reaffirmed the leadership of its Acting National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar, along with the National Secretary, Chief Olu Agunloye, and its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
It urged the public and stakeholders to ignore any statement El-Rufai makes under the SDP name, calling such moves unauthorised and misleading.
“We pass a vote of no confidence on Malam Nasiru El-Rufa’i,” Idris declared during the briefing.
SDP Threatens Action Over Impersonation
The party also warned another politician, Dr. Umar Ardo, calling for his immediate suspension. Idris accused Ardo of promoting another political party (ADC) while trying to use the SDP platform for political gain.
“Let this serve as a final warning… any further impersonation and we will be compelled to call for a special committee… to publish all the misdeeds across all available platforms,” he said.
The SDP emphasised that future communications must go through official representatives whose names would be provided upon request.
El-Rufai Not Member of SDP and Must Stop Misrepresenting the Party
In clear terms, the Social Democratic Party has disowned El-Rufai and warned against impersonation. The leadership insists that El-Rufai is not a member of the SDP, and has never been granted permission to speak for the party in any capacity.
