The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has officially distanced itself from former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, stating categorically that he is neither a member of the party nor authorized to speak or act on its behalf.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kaduna on Friday, the SDP North-West Zonal Secretary, Alhaji Idris Inuwa, accused El-Rufai of impersonating the party by making public appearances and statements under the SDP banner without any affiliation or mandate from the party.
“Let it be made categorically clear — Mallam El-Rufai is not a member of the SDP and has never been. He does not represent us in any capacity,” Inuwa declared. “His conduct amounts to gross impersonation and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.”
The party condemned as “brazen and false” El-Rufai’s recent appearance at a political event where he allegedly spoke on behalf of the SDP alongside what it described as “a band of meddlesome, failed politicians.”
Inuwa further alleged that El-Rufai had been attending political meetings, policy forums, and stakeholder gatherings while claiming affiliation with the SDP — all without the knowledge or consent of the party’s national leadership.
“Our party maintains a transparent record of its members and activities. El-Rufai has never been registered, never attended any strategy meeting, and his name is nowhere in our database,” he added.
The SDP warned the public, media houses, development partners, and political stakeholders to disregard any representation made by El-Rufai in the name of the party. According to Inuwa, only the duly recognized national leadership — including Acting National Chairman Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, National Secretary Chief (Dr.) Olu Agunloye, and 2023 presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo — are authorized to speak for the party.
In a related development, the party also called for the immediate suspension of Dr. Umar Ardo, accusing him of using the SDP platform to promote another political group, the African Democratic Alternative (ADA), a move described as “desperate and fraudulent political brinkmanship.”
“We hereby pass a vote of no confidence in Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. His antics are nothing more than a jobless quest for political relevance under false pretenses,” Inuwa said.
The SDP concluded by warning that any continued impersonation by either El-Rufai or Ardo would prompt the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to establish a special investigative panel, with the intention of publicly exposing their alleged misconduct.
