The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has debunked widespread reports suggesting that former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has been suspended or expelled from the party. The party described the reports as false, unauthorized, and aimed at causing political mischief.
In a statement released on Monday, the State Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Hon. Darius Kurah, strongly refuted the claims, asserting that they were fabricated to mislead the public and destabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kurah specifically discredited a statement attributed to one Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, who was presented in media reports as the party’s National Publicity Secretary. “Araba Rufus Aiyenigba is not the National Publicity Secretary of the SDP,” Kurah stated. “That position is currently held by Ambassador Judith Shua’ibu, and any statement issued by Aiyenigba in that capacity is null, unauthorized, and of no consequence.”
The party emphasized that no disciplinary process—such as a query, appearance before a disciplinary panel, or formal suspension—had been initiated against El-Rufai, either at the ward level or by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Reacting to allegations that El-Rufai was secretly promoting the interests of rival political parties, Kurah dismissed the claims as “baseless and unsubstantiated.” He confirmed that while El-Rufai is a registered member of the SDP, he holds no official position and has not violated any party rule or engaged in anti-party activities.
Describing the suspension rumors as “cheap propaganda,” Kurah accused certain political actors, including elements linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC), of attempting to foment internal division. “This misleading publication appears to be a politically motivated attempt to create confusion within our ranks and among the public,” he said.
The Kaduna SDP called on its members and the general public to disregard the false claims, reaffirming that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai remains a bona fide member of the party in good standing.
“No such disciplinary action has been taken against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and we urge all well-meaning Nigerians to ignore such fake news,” the statement concluded.
