By Abu Daniel
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has revealed that he cannot rule out the possibility of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai joining the SDP.
Gabam disclosed in an interview with Daily Trust that the two have been engaged in ongoing discussions about national, economic, and political issues, with a focus on collaborating to address the challenges facing Nigeria.
Gabam, who spoke about his long-standing personal relationship with El-Rufai, emphasised that their bond transcends political affiliations.
“My relationship with El-Rufai began over 30 years ago and has always been separate from politics. While he pursued his political career with the APC, I remained in the PDP despite attempts to convince me otherwise. Our friendship has endured because it was never based on party politics,” he explained.
The SDP chairman hinted at the potential for a political alignment in the future, stating, “If at some point our political interests converge, that would be beneficial for both of us. We understand each other’s strengths, and once we harmonize them, I can assure you that some people will be uncomfortable.”
While Gabam clarified that El-Rufai has not officially joined the SDP, he acknowledged the possibility of such a move.
“For now, we are still friends. He has not formally joined the SDP, but we are in talks about how we can collectively contribute to salvaging the country and ensuring that the right things are done,” he said.
Gabam also extended an open invitation to El-Rufai and others, stating, “If he or anyone else decides to join the SDP, they will be welcomed with open arms.”
The Spear News reports that El-rufai and several prominent opposition figures in January held a closed-door meeting with officials of the Social Democratic Party in Abuja.
The agenda of the meeting which took place at the national secretariat of the SDP and included former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (former Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha), and Otunba Segun Showunmi, a former spokesman for Atiku Abubakar, among others.
El-rufai who has been critical about the Tinubu administration, recently spoke on Arise TV Prime Time where he expressed his greviances against the President and the possibility of his exit from the APC, which he said has left him.
El-Rufai said while he remains politically active, he no longer recognizes the party he helped establish.
“I didn’t say I have no intentions of leaving the APC; I said that APC is my party—I founded it,” he clarified.
“But the APC has left me; I didn’t leave the APC. We founded this party based on certain values, but today, the party has moved away from them. I feel stranded.”
Despite his concerns, the former governor insisted he was not ready to retire from politics.
“I will remain in politics for life, but that doesn’t mean I will keep contesting elections. I believe I have a role to play in influencing what happens in our party so that we have better candidates and better governors,” he said.
El-Rufai, however, did not rule out the possibility of seeking another political platform if the APC fails to realign with its founding ideals.
“If I can’t find those progressive values in APC, sooner or later, I may have to find another platform to pursue them. But I still hope the party will correct its course,” he stated.
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