The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has publicly distanced itself from former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, stating that he is neither a member nor an authorised representative of the party.
During a press briefing in Kaduna on Friday, Alhaji Idris Inuwa, the SDP’s North West Zonal Secretary, made a categorical statement rejecting El-Rufai’s alleged affiliation with the party. He accused the former governor of impersonation and misrepresentation.
“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 said.
According to the party, El-Rufai recently made a public appearance at a political event where he was seen speaking on behalf of the SDP, a move the party has condemned as both “brazen and false.”
The SDP further criticised the individuals who appeared alongside El-Rufai, describing them as “a band of meddlesome, failed politicians.”
Party officials claim El-Rufai has attended several public forums, including stakeholder engagements and policy discussions, under the guise of representing the SDP, despite never being a registered member or participating in party affairs.
Inuwa reiterated that:
“Our party operates a transparent system of membership and delegation. There is no trace of him in our books.”
He urged the public, political observers, and the media to disregard any comments or representations made by El-Rufai in the name of the SDP. Only the national leadership—Acting National Chairman Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, National Secretary Chief (Dr.) Olu Agunloye, and the 2023 Presidential Candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo—are authorised to speak on behalf of the party.
In a related development, the Kaduna North SDP chapter has also called for the suspension of Dr. Umar Ardo. He is accused of exploiting the SDP platform to promote the African Democratic Alternative (ADA), a rival political outfit. The party described his actions as “desperate and fraudulent political brinkmanship.”
“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 added.
The party concluded with a stern warning that should El-Rufai or Ardo continue to misrepresent the SDP, the National Executive Committee (NEC) will establish a special panel to investigate the matter and make its findings public across all media platforms.
