Ministerial reject and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has called on opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as an alternative political force ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP, made the appeal in an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday. He also extended the invitation to former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola and ex-Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, dismissing speculations of a political merger.
“My wishes and prayers are for Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, and all opposition leaders to come and join the SDP, not to do a merger or register a new political party,” he said.
El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP came amid his discontent with the APC’s leadership. Announcing his exit on March 10, he criticized what he described as a lack of direction within the ruling party.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party,” he stated.
He defended his initial support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, saying it was based on Tinubu’s track record as Lagos State governor. However, he suggested that his expectations for Tinubu’s administration had not been met.
“We know what Tinubu did in Lagos, we are all aware, but we said if he can do the same that made Lagos great, we should support him,” he said.
Addressing speculation about a possible presidential bid in 2027, el-Rufai said the decision would not be his alone.
“It is not for me to decide. It is the party and the people that will decide. Even when I was contesting for governor, it was the people who met and convinced (Muhammadu) Buhari, and he called me and asked me to contest,” he said.
