The Traffic

SDP Expels Nasir El-Rufai, Slams 30-Year Ban on Former Governor

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has officially expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from its ranks and imposed a 30-year ban on his involvement with the party.

The decision was announced by the party's National Working Committee (NWC), which cited alignment with the SDP’s constitution, ideology, principles, and operational guidelines, as well as the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act, which grant political parties the right to determine their membership.

In a statement issued by the SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party warned all members to steer clear of El-Rufai and any individuals or groups who do not uphold the core interests and values of the party.

The statement reads in part:
“El-Rufai is hereby banished and banned from applying for membership, associating with the name, logo, symbol, insignia, or activities of the Social Democratic Party, and from engaging with any of its structures, institutions, or affiliates, or rendering any form of support—financial or otherwise—for a period of 30 years starting from today.”

This development comes after El-Rufai defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the SDP. He has recently emerged as a prominent figure in the newly formed opposition coalition, which adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna