El-Rufai Not Yet Registered Member, SDP Kaduna Reveals

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has said that ex-governor Nasir el-Rufai is yet to register as a member of the party two weeks after his defection.
The party also rejected the purported dissolution of the Kaduna State Working Committee of the party by the National Secretariat.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, Idris Inuwa, Assistant National Secretary, North-west zone, said el-Rufai’s membership of the party remained a rumour as he is yet to follow due process of becoming a member.
The former governor had on March 10, 2025, announced his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP citing a growing misalignment between his personal values and the current direction of the party as the primary reason for his decision.

However, Inuwa said el-Rufai has yet to formalise his membership of the party as there are no records of his membership at the ward and local government levels.
“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 Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships.
“We advise him and any other interested individual to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party,” Inuwa said.

He also rejected the purported dissolution of the Kaduna State Working Committee of the SDP, maintaining that it is unconstitutional and an affront to the principles of due process and internal democracy.
Inuwa said, “The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the SDP categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as contained in a letter from the National Secretariat dated 25th February, 2025.”
He maintained 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.

Inuwa said further 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.”
He argued that the Kaduna State Executive Committee of the party is the legitimate outcome of a duly conducted State Congress, reflecting the will of 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 state very clearly the process and procedure to follow in dissolving a State Exco; which includes but limited to initiating an investigation, setting up committee, providing fair hearing transparently before a decision is taken; none of this was done-only the resort to the illegal unilateral letter of dissolution,” Inuwa noted.

He said Kaduna State SDP remains open and welcoming to all prospective members who adhere to the established procedures.

“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,” he said.