El-Rufai not our member, says Kaduna SDP
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El-Rufai dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC for the SDP on March 10, citing a misalignment of his values with the ruling party. The former governor has also been encouraging his associates and other leading politicians in the opposition to join SDP in order to build a coalition capable of ousting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Aso Rock presidential villa in 2027. But the Kaduna State chapter of SDP on Friday said neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter, nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward where El-Rufai was supposed to register as member of the party has any record of his membership.
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Weeks after he joined the party, the leadership of Social Democratic Party, SDP in Kaduna on Friday declared that they are not aware that former governor Nasir El-Rufai is now a member of their party.
El-Rufai dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC for the SDP on March 10, citing a misalignment of his values with the ruling party.
The former governor has also been encouraging his associates and other leading politicians in the opposition to join SDP in order to build a coalition capable of ousting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Aso Rock presidential villa in 2027.
But the Kaduna State chapter of SDP on Friday said neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter, nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward where El-Rufai was supposed to register as member of the party has any record of his membership.
The SDP State Executive Committee therefor said the claim that El-Rufai joined the party is still a rumour at a press conference addressed by Assistant National Secretary of SDP in North-West, Idris Inuwa, on Friday in Kaduna.
Inuwa therefore advised the former governor to follow the proper procedures if he intends to officially become a member of the party.
“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Mal. Nasir El-Rufai are being rumored to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter, nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward, has any record of these memberships.
“El-Rufai and his co-travelers are not recognised members of the SDP in Kaduna State at this time. We advise him and any other interested individuals to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party.”
Inuwa also dismissede claim that the Kaduna State Executive Committee of SDP has been dissolved by the National Secretariat through a letter dated 25 February, 2025.
Inuwa said the letter has no reference number, no tracking identity and did not have the proper mailing/correspondence address of the Kaduna State SDP.
“We state unequivocally that the action contained in the letter is an exercise in futility, and of no consequential effect whatsoever.
“The Kaduna State Executive Committee is a product of a duly conducted State Congress and holds a four-year mandate that remains valid and binding.”
He maintained that any attempt to dissolve the legitimately constituted leadership of the party in the State is not only unconstitutional, but also a direct affront to the principles of due process and internal democracy.
“This therefore underscores the nullity of the purported setting up of a caretaker committee under one individual,” Inuwa said.
Inuwa therefore asked the National Secretariat of the party to immediately withdraw the letter as failure to do so will leave them with no option but to seek redress through appropriate channels, including the courts of law.
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