The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Youths and Supporters Coalition has strongly opposed the defection of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, into the party, calling it a major threat to the SDP’s democratic values and progressive ideology.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the coalition, led by its President, Abdulsamad Bello, accused El-Rufai of anti-democratic tendencies, political opportunism, and an agenda to hijack the party for personal gain.
The statement further alleged that El-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna State governor was marked by oppression, division, and exclusionary policies, making him an unfit representative of the SDP’s principles.
“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 coalition warned.
The group also condemned what it called a “clandestine deal” between the party’s leadership and El-Rufai, which enabled his defection. They alleged that he has already begun efforts to dominate the party by pressuring Dr. Olu Agunloye to resign as the SDP’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 coalition further claimed that El-Rufai’s defection is a calculated political move to reposition himself and use the SDP as a tool 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?”
Calling for resistance against what they described as a “backdoor takeover,” the SDP youths insisted that the party must not become a refuge for failed politicians or a tool 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 SDP leadership to reconsider their decision before it is too late.
