The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed claims that former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have joined its ranks, insisting that the ex-governor is not a registered member of the party in the state.
El-Rufai recently announced his exit from the APC, citing a disconnect between his values and the party’s current direction. In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, he expressed disappointment with the APC’s leadership, accusing it of deviating from its founding progressive ideals.
However, speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, SDP’s Assistant National Secretary for the Northwest zone, Idris Inuwa, dismissed reports of El-Rufai’s defection as mere speculation, asserting that proper registration procedures had not been followed.
“Neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of his membership,” Inuwa stated.
He advised El-Rufai and others interested in joining the SDP to adhere to the party’s official registration process to be formally recognised.
Read Also: HOSTCOM deplores attack on oil facilities, Tantita, urges support for Tinubuc
Inuwa also rejected the alleged dissolution of the Kaduna State Working Committee by the party’s national secretariat, describing the move as unconstitutional and a violation of due process.
He insisted that the state executive committee was duly elected with a valid four-year mandate, stressing that the party’s constitution provides a clear procedure for dissolving such a body, which was not followed.
“The Kaduna State Executive Committee is the legitimate outcome of a duly conducted State Congress, reflecting the will of party members,” Inuwa said. “The purported dissolution is illegal and an affront to internal democracy.”
Despite the controversy, Inuwa reiterated that the SDP remains open to new members, provided they follow the party’s registration guidelines.
“While we recognise the growing interest in joining the SDP, we emphasise that membership must be in line with our constitutional provisions,” he stated.
