The Forum of State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has directed opposition heavyweights, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, to follow due process if they wish to join the party.
The forum emphasized that new members must be admitted through their respective wards, without preferential treatment.
Following its inaugural meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the forum—comprising SDP state chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—made it clear that all entrants must comply with the party’s internal structures, which are overseen by state chairmen.
Last month, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, claimed via his X handle that he had joined the SDP.
However, the party’s Kaduna State chapter denied the claim, stating he was not a recognized member.
At a press conference, SDP Assistant National Secretary (North West), Idris Inuwa, confirmed that El-Rufai had not completed the registration process.
Addressing journalists, the forum’s chairman and Lagos State SDP Chairman, Hon. Femi Olaniyi, welcomed new members but stressed that self-admission into the party would not be tolerated.
“New members will be admitted and registered through the party’s internal structures, led by the State Chairmen,” Olaniyi stated. “No individual can self-admit or register as a member of the party.”
With political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, the SDP leaders warned against dismantling the party’s democratically elected structures to accommodate new entrants.
While acknowledging that some structural adjustments may be needed, they insisted that fundamental aspects of the party—such as its name, logo, insignia, slogan, and manifesto—must not be changed without due process.
Any modifications, they added, must be discussed and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
“The consultative and democratic cultures of the party must be maintained,” the forum stated. “The SDP must remain open to all Nigerians in a fair, transparent, and equitable manner—without being subsumed under the ambitions of individuals or sectional interests.”
When asked whether the party feared being hijacked by influential opposition figures, Olaniyi dismissed the concern but warned against manipulative tactics from former APC, PDP, and Labour Party members.
“We are not afraid anybody will hijack our party. We welcome new members, but we won’t allow a kangaroo registration process orchestrated by impostors,” he said.
He further emphasized that while harmonization is necessary, the party’s internal mechanisms must determine the process to maintain balance.
“If you are bringing 30,000 people into my 40,000-strong structure, I cannot expect to remain as chairman and secretary. But we must manage the situation in a fair and structured manner.”
The forum passed a vote of confidence in the Shehu Musa Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC), commending its leadership and the efforts of party members nationwide in strengthening the SDP.
The Forum of State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has directed opposition heavyweights, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, to follow due process if they wish to join the party.
The forum emphasized that new members must be admitted through their respective wards, without preferential treatment.
Following its inaugural meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the forum—comprising SDP state chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—made it clear that all entrants must comply with the party’s internal structures, which are overseen by state chairmen.
Last month, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, claimed via his X handle that he had joined the SDP.
However, the party’s Kaduna State chapter denied the claim, stating he was not a recognized member.
At a press conference, SDP Assistant National Secretary (North West), Idris Inuwa, confirmed that El-Rufai had not completed the registration process.
Addressing journalists, the forum’s chairman and Lagos State SDP Chairman, Hon. Femi Olaniyi, welcomed new members but stressed that self-admission into the party would not be tolerated.
“New members will be admitted and registered through the party’s internal structures, led by the State Chairmen,” Olaniyi stated. “No individual can self-admit or register as a member of the party.”
With political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, the SDP leaders warned against dismantling the party’s democratically elected structures to accommodate new entrants.
While acknowledging that some structural adjustments may be needed, they insisted that fundamental aspects of the party—such as its name, logo, insignia, slogan, and manifesto—must not be changed without due process.
Any modifications, they added, must be discussed and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
“The consultative and democratic cultures of the party must be maintained,” the forum stated. “The SDP must remain open to all Nigerians in a fair, transparent, and equitable manner—without being subsumed under the ambitions of individuals or sectional interests.”
When asked whether the party feared being hijacked by influential opposition figures, Olaniyi dismissed the concern but warned against manipulative tactics from former APC, PDP, and Labour Party members.
“We are not afraid anybody will hijack our party. We welcome new members, but we won’t allow a kangaroo registration process orchestrated by impostors,” he said.
He further emphasized that while harmonization is necessary, the party’s internal mechanisms must determine the process to maintain balance.
“If you are bringing 30,000 people into my 40,000-strong structure, I cannot expect to remain as chairman and secretary. But we must manage the situation in a fair and structured manner.”
The forum passed a vote of confidence in the Shehu Musa Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC), commending its leadership and the efforts of party members nationwide in strengthening the SDP.
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