The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has confirmed that no official communication has been received regarding the potential defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, or associates of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to the SDP.
This clarification follows a strategic meeting involving El-Rufai, Segun Sowunmi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Hamza Al-Mustapha, held behind closed doors at the SDP Secretariat in Abuja. The meeting reportedly focused on strengthening opposition engagement in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Gabam emphasized the SDP’s openness to discussions aimed at national progress, noting, “There is no official statement from El-Rufai or any of them about joining the SDP. They are engaging in conversations and negotiations for a better Nigeria. This is not just about a political party; it is about the country’s future.”
Gabam further highlighted the SDP’s commitment to working with individuals who share a vision for Nigeria’s development. “We are seeking like-minded people who believe in uplifting Nigeria. I have met with dignitaries from various political parties discussing ways to stabilize the country and provide constructive advice to the government to prevent crises.”
He added that these discussions are preliminary and would lead to an official announcement once agreements are finalized. “When the time comes, we will hold a press conference to unveil our collective plans,” Gabam assured.
The meeting has intensified speculations about El-Rufai’s political moves, following claims that he might leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP. However, El-Rufai has vehemently denied such claims, dismissing them as baseless rumors.
Taking to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, El-Rufai wrote, “Please disregard the patent lies and rumors about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of this fake news to my lawyers for further action.”
El-Rufai’s political allegiance has been a subject of speculation in the past. In 2022, presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala predicted that the former governor would join the PDP before the 2023 elections, a claim El-Rufai rebuffed with derision, declaring that not even his corpse would associate with the PDP.
As the political landscape evolves, Gabam reassures Nigerians that the SDP remains focused on fostering unity and progress, prioritizing the nation’s welfare over party politics.
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