KADUNA, Nigeria — The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has distanced itself from former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, declaring that he is not a registered member of the party and holds no authority to speak on its behalf.
At a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, July 25, 2025, Idris Inuwa, the party’s Assistant National Secretary for the North-West Zone, said el-Rufai’s recent public appearances under the SDP banner were unauthorised and misleading.
“It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir el-Rufai has taken it upon himself to appear in various fora, including policy dialogues and stakeholder meetings, purporting to speak for the SDP,” Inuwa said.
“Let this be made unequivocally clear: el-Rufai is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP to represent its interests or articulate its positions. His actions were carried out entirely without the knowledge, consent, or approval of the national leadership — including our acting national chairman, Sadiq Umar.”
Inuwa reaffirmed the leadership structure of the party, recognising Sadiq Umar as acting national chairman, Olu Agunloye as national secretary, and Adewole Adebayo as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
He urged the public and political stakeholders to disregard any statements or appearances made by el-Rufai in the name of the SDP.
The party also accused Dr Umar Ardo, another political figure associated with the party, of attempting to hijack the SDP platform to promote an unnamed new political group.
“We pass a vote of no confidence in el-Rufai. We call for the immediate suspension of Dr Umar Ardo from the SDP,” Inuwa stated.
“His attempt to use the party’s platform is the height of desperation and a crass display of failure in political brinkmanship.”
He warned that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) would not hesitate to convene a special committee to investigate and expose what he described as “fraudulent activities.”
El-Rufai announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP on Monday, March 10, 2025, citing disillusionment with the APC’s leadership and direction.
“Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” el-Rufai said at the time.
Following the announcement, el-Rufai met with SDP leaders, including National Chairman Shehu Gabam, in Abuja — a meeting that sparked widespread speculation about his role within the party.
