SDP Disowns Nasir El-Rufai, Warns Ex-Governor Against Public Impersonation

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has distanced itself from former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, saying he is not a member of the party and has no right to speak or act on its behalf.

This was made known by the party’s North-West Zonal Secretary, Inuwa Idris, during a press conference held in Kaduna on Friday, June 25.

According to him, the SDP was surprised to learn that El-Rufai had been attending policy meetings, public events, and private strategy sessions, claiming to represent the party.

He said, “It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i has taken it upon himself to appear in various fora, including policy dialogues, stakeholder engagements, and even private strategy meetings purporting to speak on behalf of the Social Democratic Party.”

Idris stressed that El-Rufai does not appear in any party register, has never taken part in any SDP event, and has never been appointed or assigned any role within the party.

He reaffirmed the leadership of Acting National Chairman Dr. Sadiq Umar, National Secretary Chief Olu Agunloye, and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo.

“Let this be made unequivocally clear to all: Malam El-Rufa’i is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP in any capacity to represent its interests, articulate its positions, or speak on its behalf.

”His actions were carried out entirely without the knowledge, consent, or approval of the party’s national leadership-including our dynamic acting National Chairman, Dr Sadiq Umar, among others,” he said.

The SDP warned both the public and stakeholders to ignore any comments made by El-Rufai under the party’s name, stressing that the party has a formal system for delegation and communication.

Idris stated, “We pass a vote of no confidence on Malam Nasiru El-Rufai.”

He also called for the suspension of Dr. Umar Ardo from the SDP, accusing him of promoting another political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while still trying to operate under the SDP platform.

“We call for the immediate suspension of Dr Umar Ardo from SDP, as he is now a known promoter of a new political party, the ADC. Resorting to the use of the SDP Platform is the height of desperation and a crass display of failure in political brinkmanship.

“Let this serve as a final warning for them. Desist from your fraudulent activities.

“Any further impersonation or we will be compelled to call for a special committee by the powers of NEC to look into these matters with a view of publishing all the misdeeds across all available platforms,” he said.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nasir El-Rufai recently joined the opposition coalition at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for a major political meeting under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).