The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has refuted claims that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is a member of the party, stating that he has not undergone the official registration process.
Recent reports suggested that El-Rufai, along with some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had defected to the SDP due to internal disagreements within the ruling party. However, SDP leadership in Kaduna has dismissed these assertions, maintaining that there is no formal record of his membership.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kaduna on Friday, Idris Inuwa, the party’s Assistant National Secretary for the Northwest, clarified that neither the state nor ward-level registers contain El-Rufai’s name.
“We have been made aware of speculation linking Nasir El-Rufai and others to the SDP. However, our records at both the local government and ward levels do not reflect any such membership,” Inuwa stated.
He urged El-Rufai and any interested individuals to adhere to due process if they wish to join the party.
“For anyone willing to become a member of the SDP, there is a well-defined process to follow, and we encourage them to abide by the laid-down procedures,” he added.
Kaduna SDP Rejects Unilateral Exco Dissolution
In addition to addressing the membership controversy, Inuwa strongly criticized the reported dissolution of the Kaduna State SDP Working Committee, labeling it as unconstitutional.
“The letter from the National Secretariat, dated February 25, 2025, announcing the dissolution of the Kaduna State Working Committee, lacks legal backing. The state executive committee was duly elected through a state congress and retains its full four-year mandate,” he asserted.
He further argued that the move disregarded the party’s internal processes, emphasizing that any such action should involve thorough investigations, a disciplinary committee, and fair hearings—none of which were observed.
“The SDP constitution outlines a clear procedure for dissolving a State Executive Committee, which includes investigation, committee deliberation, and a fair hearing. The recent action failed to meet any of these constitutional requirements,” he added.
Despite the controversies, Inuwa reiterated that the SDP in Kaduna remains open to new members, provided they comply with the party’s membership guidelines.
“The Social Democratic Party welcomes all prospective members who wish to align with our vision, but they must follow the appropriate procedures as stipulated in our constitution,” he concluded.
