Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has reiterated that his political loyalty has always been to Nigeria, rather than to specific individuals or political parties.
Speaking during a visit to Kano, where he met with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), El-Rufai explained that his decision to join the SDP was motivated by the need to support the creation of a credible political alternative for the country.
SDP offers a platform free from dysfunction and “godfatherism”
According to El-Rufai, the SDP presents a fresh political platform that is free from the “godfatherism” and dysfunction he believes have plagued both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reflecting on the formation of the APC, he said, “Twelve years ago, we formed the APC and unseated an incumbent president, but today’s circumstances demand a different strategy. We are rallying disillusioned Nigerians under the SDP, which stands for fairness and internal democracy.”
El-Rufai dismissed suggestions that his recent political moves were driven by personal grievances.
He emphasized that at 65 years old, he had no further ambitions to prove, saying, “I’m 65 years old. I could retire comfortably, but Nigeria is facing an existential crisis. My actions are about saving the country, not personal advancement.”
Competence over regionalism in leadership selection
On the issue of leadership, El-Rufai, who previously advocated for a power shift to the South, stressed that Nigeria’s urgent challenges required leadership based on competence rather than regional considerations.
“Our problems are too deep for us to be fixated on where the next president comes from. What matters now is competence, vision, and the capacity to fix Nigeria,” he asserted.
Addressing the issue of defections to the APC, El-Rufai said that the SDP was focused on grassroots mobilization rather than attracting high-profile politicians.
“A governor has just one vote. It is the people, not politicians, who win elections,” he stated.
El-Rufai also rejected claims that the SDP’s growth was confined to specific regions, revealing that coalition-building efforts were taking place nationwide.
“We are building quietly across the South as well. Real nation-building happens at the grassroots, not in media spectacles,” he said.
The former governor also defended his criticism of the APC, pointing out that he had consistently spoken out when things went wrong under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, especially regarding the controversial naira redesign policy.
“When policies hurt Nigerians, I raised my voice — even against a government led by my party. I have never placed loyalty to individuals above loyalty to Nigeria,” he explained.
El-Rufai urged young Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s future, calling on them to join the movement for a better Nigeria.
“Nigeria gave me opportunities, even though I was orphaned at the age of eight. We cannot abandon it to corrupt politicians. It’s time to rebuild a country where every child can dream and achieve,” he concluded.
