Tinubu’s Aide Mocks El-Rufai’s 30-Year SDP Ban as “Internally Displaced Again”

On Monday, July 28, 2025, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, mocked former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on X, quipping “Internally Displaced Again!” following the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) announcement of a 30-year ban on El-Rufai, effective until July 28, 2055. The SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), in a statement by National Publicity Secretary Mr. Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, accused El-Rufai of falsely claiming membership without registering at his Unguwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna North LGA, as required by the party’s constitution and Nigeria’s Electoral Act. Aiyenigba alleged El-Rufai promoted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while posing with SDP’s suspended National Chairman Mr. Shehu Musa Gabam to mislead party leaders, who initially supported him based on his false social media claims.

The SDP’s decision, ratified under Article 19 of its 2022 Constitution, cited El-Rufai’s history of alleged intolerance toward the party during his APC governorship and his attempts to destabilize the SDP through cash inducements and sponsoring an illegal NEC meeting on July 25, 2025. Onanuga’s jibe, echoing sentiments on X from users like @SaharaReporters, reflects El-Rufai’s political isolation after his fallout with the APC and failed ADC coalition alignment. The NWC notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of El-Rufai’s non-member status, barring him from SDP activities, as confirmed by Kaduna State executives, amid accusations of undermining party unity.