The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed reports claiming that former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has been banned from the party for 30 years.
This follows a widely circulated report alleging that El-Rufai had been expelled from the SDP — a party he is said to have recently joined.
In a swift reaction, Hon. Darius Kurah, Publicity Secretary of the SDP in Kaduna, issued a statement refuting the claim. He stated that the alleged expulsion was falsely issued by Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, who is not recognized as the party’s National Publicity Secretary. According to Kurah, the authentic spokesperson of the party remains Amb. Judith Shua’ibu.
“Therefore, any statement issued under Aiyenigba’s name in that capacity is null, unauthorized, and of no consequence,” the party said.
The statement emphasized that the SDP, as a democratic institution, has clear constitutional procedures for admission and disciplinary actions. It further clarified that at no time did Mallam El-Rufai receive a query, face a disciplinary hearing, or get an expulsion notice from any legally constituted organ of the party — not even from his ward or the National Working Committee (NWC).
The party also dismissed claims that El-Rufai was promoting the interests of other political parties, calling such allegations baseless. It stressed that El-Rufai has neither publicly claimed nor presented himself as an SDP member in any official capacity.
“This misleading publication appears to be a politically motivated attempt to cause confusion within the party and the general public,” the statement read. “It is unfortunate that individuals with no constitutional authority within the party structure are being used to orchestrate cheap propaganda and character assassination.”
The party concluded by affirming that El-Rufai has properly fulfilled the constitutional requirements for SDP membership, including registration at the ward level, and that reports to the contrary are mere fabrications aimed at stirring political controversy.
