The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced the expulsion of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and has banned him from associating with the party for a period of 30 years.
According to a statement from the party's National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the decision was made by the party's National Working Committee (NWC) in line with the SDP's constitution, ideology, and principles, as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.
The SDP alleges that El-Rufai falsely paraded himself as a member of the party and engaged in activities that promoted other political parties, despite never having officially registered at his ward level.
The party also accused him of forging documents to claim membership and attempting to destabilize the SDP through "gross indiscipline, misinformation, inducement, and manipulation."
The SDP has warned its members and the public not to have any dealings with El-Rufai, stating that he is not a member and does not represent the party's interests.
They have also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to take note of his non-member status and non-eligibility for SDP membership until July 28, 2055.
SDP also accused the former Kaduna governor of aligning with another political party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), while trying to draw the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.
SDP said, “Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in a manner contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him.
“Consequently, El-Rufai has been banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years, effective immediately”.
The SDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status, warning that he is not authorized to act or speak on behalf of the party.