The Forum of State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared that notable opposition figures, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, must adhere strictly to party protocols if they wish to join the SDP. The forum emphasized that every new member must undergo proper registration through their respective wards, as stipulated by party regulations.
Following its inaugural meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the forum—comprising state chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—maintained that there would be no preferential treatment for prominent politicians seeking admission into the party.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, the forum’s chairman and Lagos State SDP Chairman, Hon. Femi Olaniyi, addressed the increasing interest from high-profile politicians, stating that while the party is open to new members, everyone must follow due process.
“New members will be admitted and registered through the party’s internal structures, led by the State Chairmen. No individual can self-admit or register as a member of the party,” Olaniyi asserted.
Last month, Nasir El-Rufai sparked controversy after announcing via his X handle that he had joined the SDP. However, the Kaduna State chapter of the party swiftly debunked his claim, clarifying that El-Rufai had not completed the registration process.
SDP Assistant National Secretary (North West), Idris Inuwa, further reiterated the position at the press conference, noting that El-Rufai’s membership was not recognized because he had not met the necessary requirements.
With political realignments underway ahead of the 2027 general elections, there are growing concerns about the potential hijack of the party’s structure by influential opposition figures. Hon. Olaniyi, however, dismissed such fears, stating that the forum is more concerned about so-called “impostors” and “manipulators” creating chaos within the party.
“We are not afraid that anybody will hijack our party. We welcome the influence of new members, but we don’t want manipulators, especially from APC, PDP, or Labour Party, conducting a kangaroo registration process. We are open to structural adjustments, but they must be done the right way,” Olaniyi remarked.
He emphasized that the party’s democratically elected structures at both the state and national levels must not be tampered with to accommodate new entrants. Rather, the SDP must ensure that elected officials complete their terms without undue interference.
In the wake of discussions on political mergers and realignments, the forum stressed that fundamental aspects of the party—such as its name, logo, insignia, slogan, Constitution, or manifesto—must not be altered lightly. According to the state chairmen, any proposed changes should be thoroughly deliberated upon by the National Executive Committee (NEC) to preserve the party’s integrity and identity.
The forum also passed a vote of confidence on the Shehu Musa Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC), commending party members nationwide for their unwavering commitment to building and positively repositioning the SDP.
Reaffirming the forum’s stance on democratic and consultative processes, Olaniyi cautioned against subsuming the party’s vision and structure under the ambitions of individuals or sectional interests.
“The party must remain open to all Nigerians in a fair, transparent, and equitable manner. We cannot allow the SDP to be hijacked by personal ambitions or parochial interests,” he stated.
While acknowledging that merger talks might necessitate structural adjustments, Olaniyi insisted that any such moves must respect the internal mechanisms of the party and uphold its democratic values.
“If you are bringing 30,000 people to my 40,000-strong structure, I cannot expect to hold both the chairman and secretary positions. However, we must approach these adjustments the right way to maintain internal harmony,” he explained.
As Nigeria’s political landscape continues to shift ahead of the 2027 elections, the SDP remains resolute in maintaining its identity while cautiously embracing new members and merger possibilities. The forum has made it clear that while the party is open to growth, it will not compromise its foundational values or democratic processes to accommodate high-profile entrants.
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