The political landscape in Nigeria continues to witness dramatic shifts as former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, recently announced his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In his latest political maneuver, El-Rufai extended an invitation to key opposition figures to join him in the SDP, a move that has been met with strong opposition from some political heavyweights, including former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Sule Lamido.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai emphasized the need for a new political direction in Nigeria, stating that the SDP could serve as a viable alternative for those dissatisfied with the APC and PDP.
While he did not specifically mention Lamido by name, he called on prominent politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to join the SDP in a bid to reshape Nigeria’s political future.
However, Lamido, in a separate interview with BBC Hausa on Sunday, outrightly rejected El-Rufai’s invitation, dismissing it as an insult to his political legacy and unwavering commitment to the PDP.
The former Jigawa governor, who played a pivotal role in shaping the PDP, questioned El-Rufai’s credibility and political motives, especially given his past criticisms of Nigeria’s political elites.
“The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP,” Lamido asserted, emphasizing that the PDP remains his political home despite its challenges.
Lamido Questions El-Rufai’s Political Motives
Lamido also expressed skepticism about El-Rufai’s reasons for leaving the APC, suggesting that his defection might be driven by personal ambitions rather than genuine patriotism.
He pointed out the contradictions in El-Rufai’s political statements, recalling that the former Kaduna governor had once claimed that Nigeria lacked mature politicians.
“He once said that there are no adults in Nigerian politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP,” Lamido remarked.
The former governor further questioned El-Rufai’s assertion that he had informed former President Muhammadu Buhari about his plans to leave the APC, arguing that true leadership is about patience, vision, and selfless service rather than personal vendettas.
“He said he told President Buhari about his decision to leave the APC, but now he is saying that he is one of the adults in Nigerian politics,” Lamido noted.
Loyalty to the PDP Remains Unshaken
Despite ongoing challenges within the PDP, Lamido reiterated his unwavering commitment to the party.
He emphasized that if he had any intention of leaving the PDP, he would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed, noting that he has remained steadfast in his support for the party’s growth and restructuring efforts.
“If I was going to leave the PDP, I would have done so in 2014, when the APC was formed,” he declared.
Lamido also highlighted the PDP’s continuous efforts to rebuild its strength following its defeat in the 2015 presidential election.
He believes that abandoning the party at this stage would be a betrayal of its founding principles and its ongoing struggle to reclaim power.
A Critique of El-Rufai’s Leadership Style
In his critique of El-Rufai’s political trajectory, Lamido argued that leadership is not about anger, personal ambition, or political opportunism but rather about genuine service to the people.
“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole,” he stated.
The former Jigawa governor further advised El-Rufai to prioritize patriotism over political maneuvering and personal grievances.
“What should be done is to put patriotism first, instead of showing anger towards someone,” Lamido added.
The Future of SDP and Nigeria’s Political Landscape
El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP signals a growing dissatisfaction among some APC members and a potential reconfiguration of Nigeria’s political structure. While the APC and PDP have dominated Nigerian politics for over two decades, the emergence of SDP as a possible third-force party could alter the dynamics of the 2027 general elections. However, analysts remain skeptical about whether the SDP can attract enough influential politicians to challenge the dominance of the two major parties.
Lamido’s outright rejection of El-Rufai’s call further underscores the deep divisions within Nigeria’s opposition politics.
While some opposition figures might be open to exploring new political platforms, others, like Lamido, remain committed to strengthening existing parties rather than defecting to new ones.
As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle, the country’s political landscape remains fluid, with defections, realignments, and ideological battles shaping the future of governance.
Whether the SDP will gain significant traction or remain a short-lived political experiment remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the debate over Nigeria’s political future is far from over.
