El-Rufai’s Defection To SDP Was Premature And Risky – Ex-APC Vice Chair
The former National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has voiced concerns over former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai‘s recent defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Lukman, a political ally of El-Rufai, described the move on Monday as premature and cautioned that it could disrupt ongoing efforts to form a broader political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lukman acknowledged that while El-Rufai has the right to associate with any political party, the timing of his defection might have unintended consequences for opposition realignments.
He emphasized the importance of patience, suggesting that El-Rufai should have waited for coalition talks to conclude before making such a decision.
“It was expected. Even after the interview he granted on national television, you can see the handwriting on the wall. But whether it is going to come so soon is what even I couldn’t have said.
“My expectation was that he should have been a bit patient for us to work as a group based on the current negotiation that is ongoing,” Mr Lukman said.
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Regarding his own political future, Lukman indicated that he would consider joining the SDP only if the party meets specific conditions set forth in the ongoing negotiations.
He stated, “At the moment, they are yet to meet the conditions. We are in discussion, no doubt about it. If they meet the conditions tomorrow, fine.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
