Presidency mocks as SDP faction expels El‑Rufai, places 30 years ban

Onanuga

The presidency has reacted to the expulsion of former Kaduna governor Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai by a faction of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for 30 years following disputes over his claimed party membership.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, wrote: “Internally Displaced Again!” to mock El-Rufai.

El‑Rufai, who formally joined the SDP in March, was accused by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) of forging membership documents, bypassing ward‑level registration, and pursuing anti‑party activities, prompting his expulsion and a 30‑year ban across all SDP activities.

Onanuga’s comment follows weeks of tension between El‑Rufai and both the SDP leadership and the ruling APC, as he has been actively involved in opposition coalition-building ahead of the 2027 elections.

The SDP slammed a 30-year ban on a former governor of Kaduna State, on Monday by what the party described as impersonation.

In a statement issued by Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the National Publicity Secretary for SDP, the former governor has been declared ineligible to associate with the party at any level or capacity.

Aiyenigba in the statement accused the former governor of falsely parading himself as a party member and manipulating SDP’s internal processes.

He also said that an investigation by the SDP leadership has shown that El-Rufai devised means to destabilise the party using unconstitutional activities.

In addition, the party alleged that the former governor forged documents to claim membership in the SDP among several other atrocities.

“El-Rufai never registered with the SDP at his ward level as required by the party’s constitution, yet falsely declared on social media that he had joined the party.

“He further forged documents claiming membership and took photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood.

“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,” Aiyenigba said.