Politics
JUST IN: SDP Slams 30-Year Ban On El-Rufai
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has taken a hard stance against former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, by expelling him from the party for 30 years.
This move comes after the party accused him of falsely claiming to have joined the SDP and of forging party documents to back his claims.
This decision was announced on Monday by Ambassador Rufus Araba Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, who stated that El-Rufai is “banished and banned from applying for membership, identifying with the name, insignia, or logo of the SDP, or participating in any of its activities for 30 years, with immediate effect.”
READ MORE: More Cracks In PDP As Kaduna Deputy Gov Candidate Dumps Party
The SDP said El-Rufai failed to complete the standard party registration process at the ward level but still went on to announce his membership on social media.
The party also accused him of manipulating the public by posing for photographs with suspended SDP officials, in what they described as an attempt to validate his claims.
“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,” the party explained.
“He further forged documents claiming membership and took photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood.”
Following a detailed investigation, the party leadership confirmed that El-Rufai had not fulfilled any formal requirement to become a member.
“At the initial stage, this individual Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai was given the benefit of the doubt given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation,” the statement noted.
The probe revealed further discrepancies, particularly regarding El-Rufai’s self-assigned membership identity.
“Rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, this individual simply forged his own documents and self-registered and arrogated to himself ‘number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area’, as if the Ward had no single member prior to his purported joining,” the party disclosed.
In addition to fabricating his membership, the SDP pointed to El-Rufai’s past actions while serving under the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing him of hostility toward the SDP during his time in office.
“El-Rufai was confronted by serious eligibility problems given an unpleasant history of intolerance and persecution of the SDP as an opposition party during his time as the Governor of Kaduna State under the APC,” the statement said.
The party further alleged that El-Rufai attempted to stage a grand welcome at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja, which was rejected.
“Apparently to run away from his past, El-Rufai proposed an elaborate welcome ceremony… but was politely counseled that such a jamboree was not tenable,” Aiyenigba said.
“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in a manner contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s former party, the APC, reacting to the incident, described him as “sulking and selfish.”
Former senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Philip Aduda, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing ongoing internal conflicts within the party.
Aduda announced his resignation in a letter dated March 17, 2026, addressed to the PDP chairman of Karu Ward in Abuja.
In the letter, he stated that his decision takes immediate effect, blaming persistent crises rocking the party for his exit.
READ MORE: Defections Won’t Break PDP in Sokoto, Says Former Senator Gada
“I write to formally notify you of my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect due to the crisis in the party,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the party for the opportunity to serve in various elective positions across the country.
His departure adds to the growing wave of defections currently reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly within the Senate.
In recent developments, several PDP lawmakers have defected to rival parties. Three senators — Amos Yohanna, Aminu Iyal Abbas, and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis — recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, increasing its dominance in the Senate to 84 members.
The defections have reduced the PDP’s Senate strength from 17 to 14 members.
Meanwhile, five other PDP senators have moved to the African Democratic Congress, which has now emerged as the main opposition party in the Senate with nine members.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially kicked off its nationwide elections, marking the start of a major leadership renewal ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, outlined the timetable for the election process.
According to the statement, polling unit and ward congresses will hold on April 7, followed by local government area congresses on April 9 and state congresses on April 11.
ALSO READ: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The exercise is part of ADC’s constitutional mandate to refresh its leadership structures across all levels, culminating in the national convention in April. Party members interested in contesting vacant positions have been urged to obtain and submit nomination or expression of interest forms via the official ADC website.
“This process forms part of the party’s constitutional responsibility to renew its leadership structures across all levels of the organisation, culminating in the national convention,” the statement said.
The party also called on members nationwide to participate actively in the congresses and to conduct themselves in accordance with ADC’s constitution, guidelines, and democratic principles.
The nationwide elections are expected to set the stage for a robust leadership team as ADC positions itself strategically ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
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