The assistant National Secretary, Northwest Zone of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Idris Inuwa, has claimed that former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, is not a member of the party.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr El-Rufai had recently announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to join the SDP.
He cited misalignment between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the reason for his decision.
But addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, the party’s Assistant National Secretary, Northwest Zone, Mr Inuwa, emphasised that Mr El-Rufai’s entry into the party remained a rumour as he has yet to follow due process.
“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Nasir El-Rufai, are being rumoured to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter in Kaduna State nor the leadership of the Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships,” he said.
Mr Inuwa, therefore, advised Mr El-Rufai and his cohorts to follow proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party.
“We advise him and any other interested individuals to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party,” he said.
The national executive also rejected the purported dissolution of the Kaduna State Working Committee of the SDP.
He described the dissolution as unconstitutional and an affront to the principles of due process and internal democracy.
“The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party,SDP categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as contained in a letter from the National Secretariat dated 25 February, 2025,” Mr Inuwa said.
He emphasised that 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 explained that the SDP constitution clearly outlines the process and procedure for dissolving a State Executive Committee, which includes initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and providing a fair hearing transparently.
“The Kaduna State Executive Committee is the legitimate outcome of a duly conducted State Congress, reflecting the will of the party members and adhering strictly to the party’s constitutional provisions. This body holds a four-year mandate that remains valid, binding, and legally recognised throughout its tenure.
“The SDP constitution states very clearly the process and procedure to follow in dissolving a State Exco, which includes but is not limited to initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and providing a fair hearing transparently before a decision is taken; none of this was done – only the resort to the illegal unilateral letter of dissolution,” Mr Inuwa said.
While emphasising that the SDP open to welcoming prospective members, he said it must be within the ambit of the law.
“While we recognise the growing interest of individuals and groups in joining the SDP, we emphasise that there are well-defined guidelines and constitutional provisions governing membership admission.
The State Executive Council [Exco] remains open and welcoming to all prospective members who adhere to these established procedures,” he added.
