The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Youths and Supporters Coalition has strongly rejected the defection of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, into the party, describing his membership as a threat to the party’s democratic values and progressive ideology.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by its President, Abdulsamad Bello, the coalition accused El-Rufai of anti-democratic tendencies, political opportunism, and a hidden agenda to hijack the party for personal gain.
The coalition alleged that El-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna governor was marked by oppression, division, and exclusionary policies, making him unfit to represent the values of the SDP.
“El-Rufai has not joined the SDP to advance its vision but rather as an undertaker—one who has come to bury the party and serve his own interests,” the statement read.
The SDP youths condemned the “clandestine deal” between the party’s leadership and El-Rufai, which facilitated his defection. They also accused him of immediately attempting to dominate the party by pushing for the resignation of Dr. Olu Agunloye as the party’s national secretary.
“Just days after joining, he is already demanding the removal of a key party leader. On Wednesday, his supporters picketed the SDP national headquarters in Abuja to pressure Agunloye to step down. This proves our fears—El-Rufai has come to destabilize and dominate our party through undemocratic means.”
The statement further alleged that El-Rufai’s defection is a calculated move to reinvent himself politically, using the SDP as a platform for his vendetta against President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
“El-Rufai has never believed in democracy. His history of suppressing opposition voices, sidelining party members, and ruling through coercion is well known. How can we trust such a man to uphold the values of the SDP?”
The coalition called on genuine SDP members to resist El-Rufai’s “backdoor takeover”, insisting that the party must not become a retirement home for failed politicians or a playground for political mercenaries.
“We refuse to allow El-Rufai to use our party as a platform for personal ambition. The SDP’s future cannot be mortgaged for selfish political interests.”
The coalition vowed to mobilize against any attempt to hand the party over to El-Rufai and urged the party’s leadership to reconsider their decision before it is too late.
