SDP Expels El-Rufai, Bans Him for 30 Years Amidst ADC Coalition Controversy
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, finds himself at the center of a major political storm, having been expelled from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and banned from associating with the party for the next 30 years. This drastic action, announced today by the SDP's National Working Committee (NWC), stems from accusations of false membership claims, alleged forgery of documents, and attempts to align the party with a new coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) without proper authorization.
El-Rufai's Shifting Political Sands:
Before this expulsion, Nasir El-Rufai, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had publicly announced his defection to the SDP in March 2025. He cited a desire to build a political platform free from "godfatherism and internal dysfunction," aiming to create a credible alternative to rescue Nigeria from "existential threats." He also expressed a focus on mobilizing ordinary Nigerians rather than just high-profile defections.
The Controversy with ADC and SDP's Expulsion:
The SDP's decision to expel El-Rufai for such an extended period is directly linked to his involvement in efforts to form a National Opposition Coalition Group that has formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political base ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SDP's Allegations:
The SDP leadership, through its National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, stated that El-Rufai never formally registered as a member at his ward level in Unguwar Sarki, Kaduna North Local Government Area, which is a constitutional prerequisite for valid party membership.
Despite this, he allegedly falsely declared himself a member on social media and even forged documents, self-registering as "number 001" in the ward's membership register, as if no members existed before him.
The SDP further accused him of manipulating internal processes, spreading misinformation, and attempting to destabilize the party through "unconstitutional actions and deceptive political maneuvers."
Crucially, the party alleged that El-Rufai was aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and trying to draw the SDP into an unauthorized political coalition, directly breaching the SDP constitution.
The NWC concluded that since El-Rufai had publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act contrary to SDP principles, the party had no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him.
El-Rufai's Role in the ADC Coalition:
Reports from early July 2025 indicated that El-Rufai, alongside other significant political figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party's Peter Obi, was instrumental in the coalition that took over control of the ADC as their 2027 platform.
El-Rufai had confirmed the adoption of ADC and reportedly saw the appointment of former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as ADC's interim national secretary.
Sources close to the coalition indicate El-Rufai is resolute on the ADC producing a southern presidential candidate in 2027, a stance he maintained even when pushing for President Bola Tinubu's emergence in 2023. This position reportedly clashes with Atiku Abubakar's perceived ambition to contest in 2027, potentially threatening the coalition's unity.
Reactions and Implications:
Mockery from APC: Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, publicly mocked El-Rufai following the SDP ban, quipping, "Internally Displaced Again!" This jab highlights El-Rufai's uncertain political trajectory after his fallout with the APC.
ADC's Position: The ADC's Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, had earlier clarified that while El-Rufai and Obi were committed to the ADC coalition, their formal induction into the party was delayed to allow them to conclude "certain electoral engagements within their former parties." This statement, however, now stands in stark contrast to the SDP's claims of El-Rufai's unauthorized membership attempts.
Future of the Coalition: The SDP's strong rejection and expulsion of El-Rufai, coupled with its disavowal of any coalition negotiations with the ADC, could complicate the efforts of the nascent opposition coalition. It underscores the challenges of unifying diverse political interests under a single banner, especially when dealing with internal party protocols and individual ambitions.
Legal Scrutiny: The SDP has notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant agencies of El-Rufai's non-member status, emphasizing his ineligibility to represent or speak for the party.
This development adds another complex layer to Nigeria's political landscape, particularly as the 2027 general elections draw closer, with significant players like Nasir El-Rufai navigating a challenging and unpredictable path.
