El-Rufai at the Centre of SDP Crisis as NWC Appointments Tear Party Apart

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), once hailed as Nigeria’s most stable opposition platform, is now battling internal crisis following controversial appointments into its National Working Committee (NWC)—a development that has pulled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, into the eye of the storm.

The conflict began after the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, announced the appointment of Senator Ugochukwu Uba (Deputy National Chairman, South), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar (Deputy National Chairman, North), and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello (National Financial Secretary). Aiyenigba stated that the appointments were made in line with Article 12.5 of the SDP’s 2022 amended Constitution during a meeting chaired by the National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam.

While analysts saw the move as a tactical step to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, it quickly triggered a backlash, leading to a power struggle within the party’s hierarchy.

In a surprising counterstatement, Gabam—through the Deputy National Secretary, Muhammad Biu—denied the appointments, labeling the reports “unauthorized” and “false.” He asserted that no constitutional NWC meeting was held to validate such decisions and that the reports do not reflect the position of the party.

However, National Secretary Olu Agunloye refuted Gabam’s claim, confirming that a legitimate meeting occurred on May 15, with 11 out of 12 NWC members present and eight voting in favor of the appointments. He accused Gabam and two other dissenting members of teaming up with El-Rufai to impose their personal agenda on the party.

“Gabam and two others who lost the vote are collaborating with Nasir El-Rufai, who recently joined the party, to undermine the will of the majority. Since they couldn’t have their way, they are now trying to sow discord,” Agunloye said.

He added that INEC has been officially informed of the appointments, which will last for four years or until the next National Convention.

With the party’s leadership divided and El-Rufai’s name now tied to the controversy, observers say the SDP risks falling into the same post-election crisis that has rocked other opposition parties like the PDP and Labour Party.

Whether the SDP can navigate this internal storm or descend further into chaos remains to be seen.