The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has officially distanced itself from former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, declaring that he is not a registered member of the party and has no mandate to represent it in any public capacity.

The clarification was made by Idris Inuwa, the party’s Assistant National Secretary (North-West), during a press conference held on Friday in Kaduna. Inuwa said el-Rufai’s recent public appearances, where he purportedly spoke on behalf of the SDP, were unauthorised and misleading.

“It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir el-Rufai has taken it upon himself to appear in various fora, including policy dialogues and stakeholder meetings, purporting to speak for the SDP,” Inuwa stated.
“Let this be made unequivocally clear: el-Rufai is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP to represent its interests or articulate its positions.”

He emphasized that el-Rufai is not listed in the party’s membership register and has never been assigned any role by the national leadership, which includes Acting National Chairman Sadiq Umar, National Secretary Olu Agunloye, and 2023 presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo.

The party urged the public, political stakeholders, and the media to disregard any statements made by el-Rufai under the SDP’s banner.

In the same briefing, Inuwa also accused Dr. Umar Ardo of attempting to hijack the party platform to advance a separate political movement, describing the act as a “crass display of political desperation.”
“We pass a vote of no confidence in el-Rufai. We call for the immediate suspension of Dr. Umar Ardo from the SDP. His attempt to use the party’s platform is the height of desperation,” Inuwa added.
“Let this serve as a final warning: desist from fraudulent activities or the NEC will convene a special committee to investigate and expose these misdeeds.”

El-Rufai had earlier announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP on March 10, citing frustration with the APC’s internal dynamics and leadership style. Following the announcement, he was seen in meetings with SDP National Chairman Shehu Gabam and other party leaders in Abuja.

Despite these developments, Friday’s statement by senior party officials signals a deepening internal rift and raises questions about el-Rufai’s standing within the SDP.

The SDP reiterated its commitment to party discipline and warned against any attempts to undermine its structures or misrepresent its values in the public domain.