SDP bans El Rufai for 30 years
THE National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party, SDP has rejected and banished the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai for thirty years.
According to the party, the decision became imperative against the backdrop that El- Rufai has in recent months been parading himself as a member of the SDP despite the assertion of the Kaduna State Executives that he has not joined the SDP but has instead been promoting the activities of other political party in the State.
In a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, he said that Nasir Ahmad Elrufai failed to register at his Ward as required by the law despite falsely publishing on social media that he had joined the SDP.
According to him, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA devoted so much time to putting up false representation of membership by seeking photo opportunities with the suspended National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and some leaders of the SDP who assumed that he had joined the SDP in Kaduna State.
The statement read: “In line with the Constitution of the SDP, the ideology, manifesto, principles and practices thereof, and in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership, the National Working Committee deliberated on the controversial membership status of Nasir Ahmad Elrufai from Kaduna State who has in recent months been parading himself as a member of the SDP despite the assertion of the Kaduna State Executives that he has not joined the SDP but has instead been promoting the activities of other political party in the State.
“At the initial stage, this individual Nasir Ahmad Elrufai was given the benefit of the doubt given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation, especially given the fact that he published on his social media handles that he had joined the SDP which led to congratulatory messages from prominent leaders of our party and a letter of support at his request by the National Publicity Secretary.
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“However upon thorough inquiry, it turned out that the Kaduna State SDP was right and this individual had not joined the SDP. The following facts emerged:
“Nasir Ahmad Elrufai failed to register at his Ward as required by the law despite falsely publishing on social media that he had joined the SDP;
“Elrufai devoted so much time to putting up false representation of membership by seeking photo opportunities with the suspended National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and some leaders of the SDP who assumed that he had joined the SDP in Kaduna State;
“Elrufai was confronted by serious eligibility problems given an unpleasant history of intolerance and persecution of the SDP as an opposition party during his time as the Governor of Kaduna State under the APC;
“Apparently to run away from his past, Elrufai proposed an elaborate welcome ceremony at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja but was politely counseled that such a jamboree was not tenable and he should go home to register at his Ward in Kaduna State after passing simple eligibility interview and on boarding process.
“Rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, this individual simply forged his own documents and self-registered and arrogated to himself “number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area”, as if the Ward had no single member prior to his purported joining. This is contrary to all existing and updated records of the SDP in Kaduna State.
“His dodgy membership status aside, Elrufai has been illegitimately trading with the name of the SDP in various forums and other political transactions around the so-called Coalition, despite knowing that he has no such authority and contrary to the declared policy of the SDP National Working Committee and other organs.
“Additionally, despite his opaque status, innumerable have been the destabilising schemes of the said Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai against the SDP at both national, state and local levels such that peace which was the hallmark of the SDP has eluded the party since he began fraternising with our leadership and membership.
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” The obscene dangling of cash and other inducements and pure guile and utter deception, misinformation and disinformation have characterised his modus operandi leading to years of comradeship giving way to disunity, distrust, intrigues and manipulations, culminating in sponsorship and financing of grossly unconstitutional and brazenly bizzare pronouncements and gambits.
“The NWC therefore and hereby decides that by confirming and ratifying the denunciation of Nasir Ahmad Elrufai which was earlier done by his Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area and Kaduna State Executive Committee in Kaduna State, the SDP at all levels disassociates, disclaims, disfellowships, excommunicates Nasir Ahmad Elrufai as a member of the SDP; and to the extent that he purportedly claims membership by self registration or any other means, Nasir Ahmad Elrufai is consequently expelled from the membership of the Social Democratic Party anywhere in Nigeria and globally.
“The foregoing actions by the NWC, which are in the exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Article 19.1; 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the Party Constitution 2022, (as amended) are consequent upon the unacceptable acts of gross indiscipline of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, particularly, in respect of the undeniable fact of having publicly declared for the ADC, which is chosen as their so-called ‘coalition’ vehicle and his confirmed acts towards dragging the SDP dishonestly into their so-called coalition through the back door; and his selfish agenda to destabilise the party (having failed in his mission), by way of sponsoring a group of dissidents to call an illegal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Party on Friday July 25, 2025, Nasir Ahmad Elrufai is hereby banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark or any activities, organs, agencies and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 (thirty) years effective from today.
“Members of the SDP across Nigeria and the general public are by this public notice informed that Mallam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai is not a member of the SDP, and does not represent the interests of the Party at any level, and for any purpose or to any intent.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant agencies and institutions are hereby notified of the non-member status and non-eligibility of Mallam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai for SDP membership effective until Wednesday July 28, 2055.
“The SDP is committed to national patriotism, party discipline, ideological clarity, moral rectitude, candour, honour, integrity, principled opposition, fair contest and internal democracy. We welcome all Nigerians who subscribe to these ideals and have the revolutionary patience to move the Nigerian people towards Abolition of Corruption and Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity, without cutting corners and indulging in duplicity or insincerity.”
2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor
A prominent elder statesman, Pa Andu Liadi Adio, has urged President Bola Tinubu to honour longstanding assurances that Lagos State’s governorship will be ceded to Badagry Division.
Speaking at his residence in Badagry, the 93-year-old said the time had come for the division to assume leadership after decades of perceived marginalisation and backed the aspiration of Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.
He appealed for patience among youths in the area, saying efforts were ongoing to ensure justice for the division in the state’s political arrangement.
Pa Adio expressed confidence that the President would not disappoint the people of Badagry in their quest to produce the next governor.
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He recalled that during his tenure as Lagos governor, President Tinubu had requested a representative from Badagry to serve in his administration, leading to the nomination of Hon. Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, who later served as Commissioner for Rural Development and Infrastructure.
According to him, that appointment debunked claims that Badagry lacked competent individuals to hold key positions in government.
In his remarks, former commissioner, Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, dismissed concerns over the political credentials of Dr. Ajose, describing him as a seasoned private sector player with a strong record of contributions to socio-economic development in Lagos West and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Also lending her support, former House of Representatives member, Rafeequat Arinola Onabamiro, said Dr. Ajose possesses the experience and capacity to govern, citing his over three decades in the private sector.
She noted that past Lagos governors, including Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, did not begin as career politicians but went on to leave impactful legacies.
Onabamiro lamented that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, Badagry Division has yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, minister, or Secretary to the State Government.
She added that Lagos West Senatorial District is united in its support for Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC
The member representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo and Bunza Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Mohammed, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent internal crises within the opposition party.
Announcing his defection, the Kebbi lawmaker said the PDP has been plagued by prolonged leadership disputes, internal divisions, and recurring litigation, which he noted have significantly weakened the party’s ability to function effectively as a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the lingering crisis has made it increasingly difficult for committed members to contribute meaningfully to the party’s development and fulfil its democratic responsibilities. He added that the situation has created uncertainty and disunity across various levels of the party structure.
Mohammed disclosed that his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders across his federal constituency, stressing that the move was made in the best interest of those he represents.
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“I have formally submitted my resignation letter to my PDP Ward Chairman in Nasarawa Ward and also notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives of my defection,” he said.
He explained that joining the APC would enable him to better serve his constituents and enhance his legislative effectiveness, particularly by aligning with the ruling party at the federal level.
The defection comes amid ongoing leadership tussles within the PDP, including disputes over party structure, legal battles, and disagreements among top party figures, which have continued to affect unity within the opposition.
Political observers say the development is part of a wider trend of defections from the PDP to the APC in recent months, raising concerns about the opposition party’s internal cohesion and its readiness for future elections.
Meanwhile, the APC has continued to consolidate its position in the National Assembly, with recent defections strengthening its numerical advantage, while the PDP faces increasing pressure to resolve its internal conflicts and retain key members.
PDP Crisis Deepens as Kebbi Lawmaker Joins APC
Aiyedatiwa Sacks All Political Aides, Plans 1,000 New Appointments
Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has terminated the appointments of all his political aides, including Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs), in a bold move aimed at enhancing governance efficiency and deepening service delivery. The decision was announced in Akure by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Monday.
According to the statement, the sack affects all political appointees serving under the governor, who was elected in 2025. The governor thanked the outgoing aides for their service and wished them well in their future endeavours. The mass disengagement comes amid a broader effort to strengthen administration at the grassroots level, ahead of the 2027 elections.
To replace the dismissed aides, Governor Aiyedatiwa announced plans to appoint about 1,000 new political aides drawn from all 203 wards across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State. These new aides are expected to serve as community liaisons, administrative support officers, and coordination aides, improving citizen engagement and service delivery throughout the state.
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In line with INEC regulations for electoral participation, several political appointees have submitted resignation letters to pursue elective offices in the 2027 general elections. These include:
Notably, Hon. Adeola Fynch resigned to contest for the Akure South Constituency 1 seat in the State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. Resignations were formally tendered through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti.
Observers say the shake-up reflects Aiyedatiwa’s intent to broaden representation, strengthen local governance, and inject fresh capacity into the state administration. By recruiting aides from every ward, the governor aims to enhance grassroots engagement and ensure efficient delivery of public services.
Analysts, however, caution that integrating a large number of new aides may require significant orientation and coordination to maintain continuity in governance and policy implementation.
This sweeping restructuring highlights the government’s focus on accountability, community involvement, and electoral compliance, positioning Ondo State for stronger administrative performance in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
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