El-Rufai’s hasty move roils SDP as loyalists seek rejig of NWC
13 March 2025 |
5:32 am
Barely 48 hours after the former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), his supporters are calling for the review of the membership of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Barely 48 hours after the former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), his supporters are calling for the review of the membership of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Specifically, the group loyal to the former governor are calling for the removal of the national scribe of the party, Olu Agunloye, stressing that his pending trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could provide an opportunity for the Federal Government to undermine the party.
This was just as the party’s National Legal Adviser, Aderemi Abimbola, told The Guardian that contrary to the speculation that many disgruntled members of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were joining the party en masse, only the former governor had secured its membership.
Abimbola, however, noted that from the beginning of this year, they had received numerous defectors from various northern states, adding that discussions were still going on with other Nigerians interested in joining the party.
He stated: “Just yesterday, supporters of the APC in Gombe were here. These were once key figures in the governor’s campaign. The situation escalated to the point that when the governor saw them on an aircraft, he was so frustrated that he wanted to slap one of them.
“The governor confronted them, asking if they were planning to join the SDP. This led to a heated exchange, but a prominent politician on the flight intervened, reminding everyone that political association is a constitutional right.”
The legal adviser maintained that el-Rufai’s decision to join SDP remained a major boost to the fortunes of the party, adding that the former governor “has a strong political base”, not just in Kaduna but across northern Nigeria.
“Even before he officially joined, his supporters were already defecting to our party. His presence will strengthen the SDP significantly,” he added. Reacting to the calls for balancing the NWC membership, the legal adviser said: “There is no vacancy in our NWC, and no one can join SDP expecting an automatic ticket. Every candidate must contest in the primaries. Those who defect must understand they are joining as members first.”
On speculations that the former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, was on his way to the SDP, the legal adviser said “Until he publicly declares his membership, it remains a rumour. Many people assume Tinubu controls SDP, but that is false. If that were the case, I wouldn’t be here working under difficult conditions.”
Abimbola expressed hope that SDP would re-enact the winning ways of 1993, even as he blamed the electoral system, which according to him, still has major flaws, including the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman by the President, which he said compromises independence.
Pro-el-Rufai protesters, who invaded the SDP headquarters with placards, said they wanted Agunloye out of the NWC, to pave the way for the repositioning of the party for the task ahead.
They accused the SDP secretary of mismanaging the party, insisting that he should go and clear his name in the fraud allegations over contract awards, for which he is being tried by the EFCC.
Salihu Lukman had blamed the former Kaduna governor for beating the gun to join SDP before a set of agreements were ironed out and the modality for strengthening the party’s structure.
Related
23 mins ago
Kyiv on Thursday accused Russian forces of executing five more captured Ukrainian servicemen, the latest apparent war-crime allegation brought against the Kremlin's army. Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow's troops of killing dozens of captured Ukrainian servicemen since the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Ukrainian rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on social…
36 mins ago
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project and the N21 billion official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing them as wasteful, corrupt, and misplaced priorities. Obasanjo made these remarks in his new book, ‘Nigeria: Past and Future’, where he analyzed the leadership styles of past and present government…
2 hours ago
China on Thursday called for "dialogue" with Washington to resolve spiralling trade tensions that have seen the world's two largest economies impose a slew of tariffs on each other's imports. "China has always advocated that China and the United States should adopt a positive and cooperative attitude towards differences and controversies in economic and trade…
2 hours ago
Tensions were rising between rival factions in the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray on Thursday, as France warned against travel there. Tigray was the scene of one of the most devastating wars of the century between 2020 and 2022, estimated to have claimed as many as 600,000 lives. That war pitted local forces against the…
3 hours ago
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, says to effectively address the security challenges in the West African sub-region requires collective efforts from all affected countries. Matawalle said this during the Gala Night for the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja. He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation…
3 hours ago
A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), serving at the National Assembly, identified as Miss Ruth Isaiku was robbed and dumped by the roadside after boarding a ‘one chance’ taxi in Abuja. Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that around 7:40 p.m. on March 12, 2025, one good samaritan from Army Housing Estate,…
3 hours ago
Akwa Ibom State Government has said it is using the Destination Akwa Ibom campaign to re-write distorted narratives of tourism events in the state and in Nigeria. It said rewriting the story would enable the government to correct some erroneous history of some global tourism events of Akwa Ibom antecedents, such as the 1929 Anti-Tax…
3 hours ago
A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday in the heart of Benin City, where a two-year-old girl lost her life in a fatal crash allegedly caused by members of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team (PSR). The incident, which took place near Ring Road, has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for an immediate response…
3 hours ago
The Federal Government of Nigeria has applauded Brazil for the creative infusion of Yoruba culture during the just-concluded 2025 Rio Carnival and affirmed its continued collaboration in tourism expansion. The carnival, which drew 8 million tourists and generated $1.2 billion in revenue, showcased the tangible and intangible elements of Yoruba culture, much to the amazement…
3 hours ago
DUCHESS Productions, in association with Sweet Potato Films and B-Rated Productions, has announced the premiere of tHERapy, a compelling one-woman play, as part of the J. Randle Residency programme. The initiative supports young and emerging creatives in Lagos State, providing a platform for their artistic expression. “We are incredibly proud to present 'tHERapy' as part…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.