SDP talks tough over El-Rufai

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has firmly denied any affiliation with former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, insisting he is neither a member of the party nor permitted to speak or act on its behalf.

At a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, the SDP’s North-West Zonal Secretary, Inuwa Idris, stated that the party was compelled to clarify El-Rufai’s status following reports of his appearances at various forums where he allegedly represented the SDP.

“It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i has taken it upon himself to appear in various fora including policy dialogues, stakeholder engagements, and even private strategy meetings purporting to speak on behalf of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“Let this be made unequivocally clear to all: Malam El-Rufa’i is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP in any capacity to represent its interests, articulate its positions, or speak on its behalf.

“His actions were carried out entirely without the knowledge, consent, or approval of the party’s national leadership — including our dynamic acting National Chairman, Dr Sadiq Umar, among others,” Idris said.

According to him, El-Rufai’s name does not appear in the SDP’s membership database, nor has he ever taken part in any of its activities, programmes, or held any formal role within the party.

Idris went on to reaffirm the authority of the party’s national leadership, including Acting National Chairman Dr. Sadiq Umar, National Secretary Chief Olu Agunloye, and 2023 presidential flagbearer Prince Adewole Adebayo.

He urged members of the public and relevant stakeholders to ignore any declarations or remarks issued by El-Rufai under the guise of representing the SDP.

The party, Idris noted, operates a clear and transparent structure for assigning representatives and conducting official communications. He stressed that any future collaboration or policy engagement involving the SDP must go through its duly appointed officials, whose identities can be verified upon request.

“We pass a vote of no confidence on Malam Nasiru El-Rufa’i.
“We call for the immediate suspension of Dr Umar Ardo from SDP as he is now a known promoter of new political party the ADA, resorting to use of the SDP Platform is the height of desperation and crass display of failure in political brinkmanship.

“Let this serve as a final warning for them: Desist from your fraudulent activities.

“Any further impersonation or we will be compelled to call for a special committee by the powers of NEC to look into these matters with a view of publishing all the misdeeds across all available platforms,” Idris warned.