The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has disassociated itself from former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, stating he is not a party member and has no authority to represent or speak on its behalf.
This was made known by the SDP Zonal Secretary for the North-West Zone, Inuwa Idris, during a press briefing held on Friday in Kaduna.
“It has come to our attention that Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i has taken it upon himself to appear in various fora including policy dialogues, stakeholder engagements, and even private strategy meetings purporting to speak on behalf of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” he said.
“Let this be made unequivocally clear to all: Malam El-Rufa’i is not authorised, mandated, or recognised by the SDP in any capacity to represent its interests, articulate its positions, or speak on its behalf.”
According to Idris, El-Rufai’s activities have not been sanctioned by the party’s national leadership, including its acting National Chairman, Dr Sadiq Umar.
He stressed that El-Rufai does not appear in any of the party’s membership records, has never participated in its programmes, nor has he received any appointment or mandate from the SDP at any level.
Idris reaffirmed the leadership of Dr Umar, National Secretary Chief Olu Agunloye, and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
He urged stakeholders and members of the public to disregard any comments made by El-Rufai under the SDP name.
The party, according to him, operates a transparent system of delegation and official communication.
He added that future policy engagements or collaborations involving the party must be coordinated through its officially designated representatives, whose identities could be verified upon request.
“We pass a vote of no confidence on Malam Nasiru El-Rufa’i,” Idris declared.
He also called for the immediate suspension of Dr Umar Ardo, accusing him of promoting a new political party, the ADA, while still using the SDP platform.
“This is the height of desperation and a crass display of failure in political brinkmanship,” he stated.
“Let this serve as a final warning for them: Desist from your fraudulent activities. Any further impersonation or we will be compelled to call for a special committee by the powers of NEC to look into these matters with a view of publishing all the misdeeds across all available platforms.”
(NAN)
