Over the course of the weekend, Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, met with leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of his ongoing political consultation.
On the theme of the “IFTAR” breaking of the fast, the gathering was held at the Abuja home of Senator Abubakar Gada, the SDP’s candidate for governor of Sokoto State in 2023.
In addition to Gada and el-Rufai, other attendees included Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, national chairman of the SDP, Senator Teslim Folarin, a former Senate Leader, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor of Oyo State in the general elections of 2023.
Among those present at the meeting were Hon. Kamel Akinlabi, a former member of the House of Representatives from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, and Senator Nazif Suleiman, a prominent member of the party from Bauchi State.
Less than 72 hours have passed since El-Rufa’i visited the SDP national secretariat in Abuja and had a meeting with Gabam and other executive party members. Not long after Senator Abdul Ningi’s Senate suspension, the former governor of Kaduna also had a meeting with the senator.
Remember that after a petition against his Senate appointment, El-Rufai—who was instrumental in President Bola Tinubu’s campaign in the 2023 election—had his hopes of becoming a minister derailed.
The former governor went into political hibernation afterward, but he has returned to the political scene in recent weeks with trips that have sparked rumors of a potential defection.
A source present at the event last weekend, however, the meeting portends a political realignment prior to the general election in 2027.
“The reunion of these national icons will undoubtedly give Nigerians hope, especially at this difficult time when the majority are living in extreme poverty, hunger, and insecurity, among other things,” the source stated.
According to the source, Gabam expressed gratitude to the meeting’s host for “assembling prominent Nigerians who are more worried about the country’s current state and assuring Nigerians of their collective resolve to ensuring the country bounces back to its lost glory. “
Nevertheless, Gabam had previously characterized el-Rufai’s visitation to the SDP office as that of a close friend.
Despite party, ethnicity, or regional preferences, Gabam continued, “every sensible human being is greatly disturbed with the current situation of our dear country which requires collective responsibilities of all stakeholders in the country.”
However, in response to a rumor that the former governor intends to leave the APC and run in the 2027 election, his media assistant Muyiwa Adekeye stated that his principle has no intention of running against Tinubu in that year.
Adekeye added, “I consider the most recent speculations about Malam Nasir @elrufai as reflecting an unhealthy obsession with politics,” in a statement that was uploaded on his X account. Individuals are not affiliated with politics; they have personal history and ties.
Having all of your friends be members of the same political party cannot be considered a sign of civilization. There are personal ties that exist apart from political or partisan ones, which is why people visit or interact with one another across party lines.