SDP Chairman Denies Official Announcement of El-Rufai, Sowunmi Joining the Party

Shehu Gabam, the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has clarified that there has been no official communication regarding former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, or key allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar joining the party.

Gabam’s remarks follow reports that El-Rufai, Segun Sowunmi, and Hamza Al-Mustapha recently held a strategic meeting to review the current state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria. The meeting, which took place behind closed doors at the SDP Secretariat in Abuja, stirred speculation about potential political shifts.

Speaking with journalists, Gabam emphasized that while he was open to discussions aimed at a better future for Nigeria, no formal steps had been taken by El-Rufai or his associates to join the SDP. He stated: “There is no official statement from El-Rufai or any one of them about officially joining the SDP. We are focused on fostering conversations that improve the future of Nigeria.”

Gabam explained that the party’s mission wasn’t solely about political affiliation but rather about bringing together like-minded individuals dedicated to stabilizing the country and offering constructive advice to the government. He added that many political figures from different parties had approached the SDP to discuss national issues and help prevent crises that could affect the nation.

He further reassured the public that discussions with these political figures were ongoing and that an official announcement would be made when there was a concrete agreement.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai has publicly dismissed rumors suggesting he might join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In a post on social media, he described such claims as “patent lies” and warned that those spreading the rumors would face legal action. The former governor had previously rejected claims that he would defect to the PDP before the 2023 elections, calling such reports laughable.