He is Not Our Member- Kaduna SDP Denies El-Rufai’s Membership

The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed reports claiming that former governor Nasir El-Rufai has joined the party, stating that he is not a recognized member.

Speculations had emerged that El-Rufai, alongside some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had defected to the SDP due to alleged disagreements with the ruling party’s direction. In a statement on his X handle, El-Rufai expressed concerns over APC’s current trajectory, saying, “As a founding member of the APC, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the party will remain aligned until my retirement from politics.”

However, speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, SDP’s Assistant National Secretary for the Northwest zone, Idris Inuwa, dismissed the claims, emphasizing that El-Rufai has not formally joined the party.

“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Nasir El-Rufai, are being rumored to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships,” Inuwa said.

He urged El-Rufai and others interested in joining the SDP to follow the appropriate procedures for official recognition.

Inuwa also rejected the alleged dissolution of the Kaduna State SDP Working Committee, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of internal party democracy.

“The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the SDP categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as stated in a letter from the National Secretariat dated February 25, 2025,” he stated.

According to him, the Kaduna SDP leadership was elected through a properly conducted State Congress and holds a valid four-year mandate. He insisted that any dissolution must follow constitutional procedures, including an investigation, formation of a committee, and a fair hearing.

“The SDP constitution clearly outlines the procedure for dissolving a State Executive Committee. This includes initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and ensuring a transparent fair hearing before any decision is made. None of these steps were taken—only an illegal unilateral letter of dissolution,” Inuwa added.

He reaffirmed that the Kaduna SDP remains open to new members as long as they adhere to the party’s guidelines.