The Ogun State chapter of Nigeria’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) has publicly denounced Jimi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, for allegedly impersonating a party member and engaging in unauthorized political activities. During a press briefing in Abeokuta on Monday, Deputy State Chairman Augustus Olushola accused Lawal of falsely presenting himself as part of an SDP coalition with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a claim the party vehemently denies.
Olushola emphasized that the SDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) had repeatedly clarified its independence, ruling out any formal alliance or merger with the ADC. “Despite this,” he asserted, “Lawal continues to promote himself under the ADC-SDP coalition umbrella in Ogun State, undermining our party’s directives.” The deputy chairman further alleged that Lawal unlawfully distributed SDP membership cards to ADC supporters without approval from the state leadership, describing the act as a constitutional violation and “illegal possession” of party materials.
Central to the dispute are accusations that Lawal has not fulfilled basic membership obligations, including payment of dues—a mandatory requirement for affiliation. “He is neither a registered member nor authorized to represent the SDP at any level,” Olushola stated, categorizing Lawal as an impersonator. The party argues that these actions risk spreading misinformation and destabilizing its operations ahead of future elections.
Lawal, a prominent political figure linked to the opposition ADC, has yet to publicly respond to the allegations. The SDP, however, has urged its members and the public to disregard his claims, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining organizational integrity. Political analysts suggest the conflict reflects broader tensions within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where shifting alliances and disputes over party legitimacy often complicate electoral strategies.
As the SDP moves to clarify its position, the situation underscores the challenges smaller parties face in enforcing internal discipline while navigating Nigeria’s competitive and factionalized political environment. Legal experts note that unresolved impersonation claims could lead to formal complaints with electoral authorities, potentially affecting candidate eligibility in upcoming polls.
