The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has said former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is neither a member of the party nor authorised to represent it in any official capacity.
Recall that after El-Rufai defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10, 2025, he announced his intention to join the SDP.
In a letter titled “Onwards to the Future”, El-Rufai had cited the APC’s departure from its founding ideals and years of unresolved internal issues as reasons for his exit. He expressed a desire to pursue his progressive political goals on a new platform.
Following his announcement, the former governor began participating in meetings linked to the newly formed opposition coalition spearheaded by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, SDP North West Zonal Secretary, Alhaji Idris Inuwa, said the party was shocked by El-Rufai’s conduct, describing it as unauthorised and misleading.
“Let it be made unequivocally clear — Mallam El-Rufai is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP in any capacity. His actions amount to grave impersonation and reputational sabotage,” Inuwa stated.
He explained that El-Rufai had neither registered with the party nor participated in its strategic activities. “He has not been registered, does not attend our strategy sessions, and his name does not appear in any part of our official records. Our party operates a transparent and verifiable membership structure,” he added.
The SDP has urged the media, political actors, and the general public to ignore any claims or representations made by El-Rufai on behalf of the party. It stressed that only the national leadership — comprising Acting National Chairman Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, National Secretary Chief (Dr.) Olu Agunloye and 2023 Presidential Candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo are empowered to speak for the party.
In a related development, the Kaduna North SDP leadership also issued a vote of no confidence in Dr. Umar Ardo, accusing him of exploiting the party’s platform to promote another political group, the African Democratic Alternative (ADA). The local executives described his actions as a “fraudulent hijack” of the SDP’s identity.
“We pass a vote of no confidence on Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. He is a self-serving individual whose jobless meanderings under our name are pathetic attempts at relevance. He has no connection to our party,” Inuwa declared.
