The Kaduna State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has disowned former governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating that he is not a recognized member of the party in the state.
This comes after reports that El-Rufai and some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had defected to the SDP. The former governor cited ideological differences with the APC’s leadership as his reason for leaving the ruling party.
El-Rufai, in a statement released on his X handle, expressed disappointment with the APC, accusing the party of deviating from the progressive ideals upon which it was founded.
“As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. Since 2013, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the APC will continue to align until I choose to retire from politics,” El-Rufai stated.
However, addressing journalists in Kaduna on Friday, the SDP’s Assistant National Secretary for the Northwest zone, Idris Inuwa, refuted claims that El-Rufai had officially joined the party. He stressed that the former governor’s defection remained a rumor since he had not followed the due registration process.
“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Nasir El-Rufai, are being rumored to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter in Kaduna State nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships,” Inuwa said.
He advised El-Rufai and his supporters to follow the proper procedures if they genuinely wished to join the party.
Inuwa also condemned the alleged dissolution of the Kaduna State SDP Working Committee, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of internal democracy.
“The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as contained in a letter from the National Secretariat dated 25 February 2025,” he stated.
According to Inuwa, the Kaduna SDP leadership was duly elected in a State Congress and holds a valid four-year mandate. He insisted that any dissolution must follow the due process outlined in the party’s constitution.
“The SDP constitution clearly states the process for dissolving a State Executive Committee. This includes initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and providing fair hearing transparently before a decision is made. None of these steps were followed,” he added.
Inuwa reaffirmed the party’s openness to new members but stressed the importance of following established guidelines.
“While we recognize the growing interest of individuals and groups in joining the SDP, we emphasize that there are well-defined guidelines governing membership admission. The State Executive Committee remains open and welcoming to all prospective members who adhere to these procedures,” he said.
With this latest development, El-Rufai’s reported defection to the SDP remains uncertain, as party officials insist he has not formally joined their ranks.
