SDP Distances Itself from El-Rufai

The Social Democratic Party has publicly dissociated itself from former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying he is not a member and has no authority to speak or act on its behalf.

This was stated on Friday by the party’s North-West Zonal Secretary, Inuwa Idris, during a press briefing in Kaduna.

“It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir El-Rufai has been appearing at policy events and meetings while falsely presenting himself as representing the SDP,” Idris said.

He stressed that El-Rufai’s actions had no backing from the party’s national leadership and that he has never been part of the SDP’s membership or activities.

Idris reaffirmed the party’s leadership structure, naming Acting National Chairman Dr. Sadiq Umar, National Secretary Chief Olu Agunloye, and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, as its legitimate representatives.

The party urged the public and stakeholders to ignore any statements or representations made by El-Rufai under the SDP banner.

Idris also condemned Dr. Umar Ardo, accusing him of promoting a new political group, the African Democratic Assembly (ADA), while still trying to operate under the SDP name. He called for Ardo’s immediate suspension from the party.

A vote of no confidence was passed on both men, with the SDP threatening to set up a special committee to investigate and publicly expose what it called “fraudulent activities.”

The party warned that any future engagements must go through officially recognised representatives and not impostors.