Barely three weeks after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party’s North-West leadership has disowned him, stating that he is not a registered member.
In a statement issued in Kaduna, Idris Inuwa, the North-West Assistant Secretary of the SDP, insisted that neither the ward nor the state chapter has any record of El-Rufai’s membership.
“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Nasir El-Rufai, are being rumoured to have joined the SDP. However, neither the chairman of Kaduna North Local Government nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships,” Inuwa stated.
SDP Insists El-Rufai Must Follow Proper Membership Process
The SDP leadership has officially disowned El-Rufai, urging him and other prospective members to follow the party’s proper registration process if they wish to join.
“We advise him and any other interested individuals to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party,” Inuwa emphasized.
SDP Disowns El-Rufai Amid Kaduna State Leadership Crisis
Inuwa also condemned the dissolution of the Kaduna State SDP working committee by the party’s National Working Committee, stressing that El-Rufai remains unrecognized as a party member.
“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 Kaduna State chapter of SDP remains open and welcomes all prospective members who adhere to established procedures,” he stated.
El-Rufai Disowned Despite Public Defection to SDP
El-Rufai officially resigned from the APC on March 10, 2025, citing concerns over the party’s leadership.
“I raised several concerns about the capricious trajectory in the ruling party, but the leadership failed to address them,” El-Rufai stated.
Despite his public defection to the SDP, the party’s North-West leadership has disowned him, maintaining that El-Rufai is not a member, which further complicates the political drama surrounding his departure from the APC.
