SDP disowns Nasir el-Rufai, says former governor lacks mandate to speak for party

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has distanced itself from former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, declaring that he is neither a registered member of the party nor authorized to speak on its behalf.

This position was made public on Friday, July 25, during a press conference in Kaduna addressed by Idris Inuwa, the Assistant National Secretary for the North-West Zone of the SDP.

Inuwa emphatically stated that el-Rufai has no official ties to the party and cannot represent it in any capacity.

“It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir el-Rufai has taken it upon himself to appear in various fora, including policy dialogues and stakeholder meetings, purporting to speak for the SDP,” Inuwa said, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“Let this be made unequivocally clear: el-Rufai is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP to represent its interests or articulate its positions.”

Inuwa stressed that el-Rufai’s activities were carried out “entirely without the knowledge, consent, or approval of the national leadership,” and reaffirmed the party’s legitimate hierarchy, led by Acting National Chairman Sadiq Umar, National Secretary Olu Agunloye, and 2023 presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo.

The SDP scribe warned members of the public and political stakeholders to disregard any statements or representations made by el-Rufai under the SDP banner, describing such actions as fraudulent and misleading.

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Inuwa also took aim at Umar Ardo, accusing him of attempting to hijack the party’s platform to promote a separate political agenda.

“We pass a vote of no confidence in el-Rufai. We call for the immediate suspension of Dr. Umar Ardo from the SDP,” he stated.

“His attempt to use the party’s platform is the height of desperation and a crass display of failure in political brinkmanship.”

He warned that if such actions persist, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) would convene a special committee to investigate and expose those involved in what he termed “fraudulent activities.”

El-Rufai, who resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10, 2025, had announced his defection to the SDP, citing concerns over what he described as the “capricious trajectory” of the APC.

He said the decision was driven by a desire to find a platform that better aligned with his progressive ideals.

Following his defection, el-Rufai reportedly met with SDP leaders including National Chairman Shehu Gabam in Abuja.

However, the latest developments suggest that his acceptance into the party remains in contention and may not have followed proper procedures.

The SDP leadership has now made it clear that until due process is followed and formal endorsement is granted, el-Rufai cannot lay claim to any role within the party.