El-Rufai ‘internally displaced again,’ says Tinubu’s spokesman after SDP expulsion

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has described former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as “internally displaced again,” following his dramatic expulsion from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday. The SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) expelled El-Rufai from the party for alleged impersonation, forgery, and attempts to destabilise the platform. The party also imposed a 30-year […]

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has described former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as “internally displaced again,” following his dramatic expulsion from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday.

The SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) expelled El-Rufai from the party for alleged impersonation, forgery, and attempts to destabilise the platform. The party also imposed a 30-year ban on him from participating in its activities and barred him from using its name, logo, or symbols.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, the SDP said El-Rufai was never a registered member and had attempted to manipulate public perception through fraudulent means.

“El-Rufai never registered at his ward as required by the party’s constitution, yet he publicly declared on social media that he had joined the party. He also took photographs with suspended party leaders to create the impression that he was a member,” Aiyenigba stated.

The party accused the former governor of forging a membership register in which he listed himself as ‘number 001’ in the Unguwar Sarki Ward of the Kaduna North Local Government Area. It further alleged that he aligned himself with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and sought to drag the SDP into an unauthorised political alliance.

“Having established that he openly declared for the ADC and continued to act against the principles of the SDP, the party had no option but to disassociate itself from him,” Aiyenigba said, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities had been notified of the decision.

The NWC also accused El-Rufai of engaging in what it described as “destabilisation schemes” targeted at the party’s structures at the national, state, and local levels.

“El-Rufai’s activities are contrary to all existing and updated records of the SDP in Kaduna State. His misleading membership status has been used to trade on the party’s name in various forums,” the party said.

The former governor recently announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irreconcilable differences between his values and the direction of the ruling party. He subsequently joined the SDP.

Reacting to the SDP’s action, Onanuga took to his verified X handle (formerly Twitter) to take a swipe at the former FCT minister, posting “Internally displaced again” in a terse comment that quickly gained traction among political observers online.

Attempts to obtain El-Rufai’s reaction to the expulsion and Onanuga’s jab proved unsuccessful. Calls and messages to his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, went unanswered as of press time.

However, in a Facebook post, Darius Kurah, a former aide to El-Rufai who identifies as the Publicity Secretary of the SDP’s Kaduna State chapter, urged the public to disregard the party’s statement, describing it as fraudulent.

“The SDP remains committed to democratic ideals and will not allow impostors to undermine its processes or use its name for personal or political vendettas,” he wrote.

Kurah also warned that “the circulation of such false claims under an impersonated office is defamatory and actionable under the law,” adding that legal steps might be taken against those involved if the smear campaign continues.

Political analysts say the development marks another dramatic twist in El-Rufai’s post-governorship political journey, with the 30-year ban underscoring the intensity of opposition within the SDP to his perceived intrusion.

Despite the controversy, El-Rufai has remained silent on the matter, fuelling speculation about his next political destination amid reports of his association with the ADC-led coalition group of opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 election.