Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others

Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others

Former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and other political leaders planning to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have been told to follow due process.

The Forum of State Chairmen of the SDP said new members could only be admitted from their wards.

They rose from an inaugural meeting of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory  (FCT) chairmen in Abuja yesterday to give the directive.

The forum said there would be no sacred or preferential treatment for  new joiners.

Last month, El-Rufai through his X handle  announced his membership of the SDP, a move the Kaduna State chapter of the party rejected.

The party stated that he is not a recognised member.

It’s  Assistant National Secretary (North West) , Idris Inuwa, at a news conference said El-Rufai’s entry into the party remained a rumour as he was yet to follow due process.

Welcoming new members  after its meeting, the Chairman of the forum and Lagos State Chairman,  Femi Olaniyi, said the forum resolved to welcome the influx of new members, including prominent politicians from across the country but gave conditions to be fulfilled.

Olaniyi said, “New members will be admitted and registered through the party’s internal structures, led by the  chairmen.”

“New members cannot admit or register themselves as members of the party,” he added.

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On the ongoing moves by some opposition elements to join the party ahead of 2027, the SDP sub-national leaders warned that “democratically elected structures of the SDP at the state and national levels must not be truncated or dissolved to appease new joiners or at the whims of any individuals or interests. Elected officials should be allowed to serve out their terms.”

Admitting that the merger talks with the party may warrant some structural adjustments to accommodate new members, the state chairmen warned that fundamental issues such as changes to the party’s name, logo, insignia, slogan, or any drastic alterations to the party’s Constitution or Manifesto must not be undertaken.

According to them, such issues and changes should be thoroughly discussed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party before taking any action.

The forum  passed vote of confidence in  the Shehu Musa Gabam-led National Working Committee  (NWC).

They also hailed  members nationwide for their outstanding efforts in building and positively repositioning the party.

Updated: You can only be admitted from wards, SDP tells El-Rufai, others