A youth coalition within Nigeria’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) has vehemently rejected the defection of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, citing his “history littered with anti-democratic tendencies” and disregard for inclusivity.
El-Rufai’s move to join the SDP comes after he criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and met with opposition leaders.
The SDP Youths and Supporters Coalition, led by Comrade Abdulsamad Bello, described El-Rufai as “unfit and morally unqualified” to be part of the SDP, citing his “anti-democratic record” during his tenure as governor.
“We reject El-Rufai’s entrance into our party in its entirety. He has come not as a reformer but as an undertaker, seeking to bury the SDP before it even has the chance to grow,” Bello said.
The coalition also criticized the party’s leadership for what it described as a “clandestine deal” that allowed El-Rufai’s defection, warning that his presence could destabilize the party.
“El-Rufai has never believed in democracy. His history of suppressing opposition voices, sidelining party members, and enforcing his will through coercion is well known,” Bello added.
Tensions within the party have already surfaced following El-Rufai’s arrival. On Wednesday, his supporters staged a demonstration at the SDP national headquarters in Abuja, calling for the resignation of the party’s national secretary, Olu Agunloye.
According to the youth coalition, this is evidence of El-Rufai’s attempt to seize control of the party’s leadership.
The group accused El-Rufai of using the SDP as a platform for his personal political ambitions, particularly in light of his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
“El-Rufai’s resignation from the APC and his calculated entry into the SDP is nothing but a desperate attempt to reinvent himself politically,” Bello added.
