Presidential Aide Reacts as SDP Expelled, Banished El-Rufai for 30 Yrs: "Internally Displaced Again"
- The Presidency reacted sarcastically to the SDP’s 30-year ban on Nasir El-Rufai, with Bayo Onanuga mocking him as “internally displaced again"
- SDP accused El-Rufai of impersonation, saying he never formally registered with the party despite parading himself as a member
- The party’s National Working Committee imposed a 30-year ban, barring El-Rufai from membership or activities until 2055
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
FCT, Abuja – A Presidential aide has reacted with sarcasm to the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) recent decision to expel former Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from its ranks, imposing a 30-year ban.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga mocked the development, describing El-Rufai as “internally displaced again.”
Source: Twitter
Onanuga throws jab at El-Rufai
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, took to social media on Monday, July 28, to ridicule El-Rufai’s political misfortune.
Quoting the report of El-Rufai’s banishment, Onanuga wrote simply:
“Internally Displaced Again!”
The comment has sparked reactions online, with many interpreting it as a sign of the deepening rift between El-Rufai and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he once served as governor.
SDP accuses El-Rufai of impersonation
The Social Democratic Party had earlier announced El-Rufai’s expulsion in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.
The party accused El-Rufai of falsely presenting himself as a member despite never officially joining the party, Vanguard reported.
“This individual, Nasir Ahmad 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 another political party in the state,” Aiyenigba said.
No proper registration, says SDP
According to the party, El-Rufai never completed the necessary membership registration at the ward level, which is a constitutional requirement.
“At the initial stage, this individual 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,” the statement added.
The party also claimed that El-Rufai’s actions misled some party leaders, resulting in public congratulations and even a requested letter of support from the party's national office.
El-Rufai vs SDP: 30-year ban imposed
Source: Twitter
Following internal investigations, the SDP’s National Working Committee invoked its constitutional powers and sections of the Electoral Act to impose a 30-year ban on El-Rufai.
This penalty prevents him from seeking membership or participating in any party activities until the year 2055.
The move comes amid growing uncertainty around El-Rufai’s political future, with observers wondering what his next step might be as he continues to distance himself from the APC and now faces rejection from the SDP.
Peter Obi visits El-Rufai in Abuja
Previously, Legit.ng reported that Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate during the 2023 elections, visited former Kaduna state governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai at his residence in Abuja, sparking speculations about political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting took place on Friday, July 25, amid reports of both leaders’ involvement in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Source: Legit.ng
