SDP Youth Group Rejects El-Rufai’s Defection, Alleges Attempt to Hijack Party
- The SDP Youth and Supporters Coalition strongly opposes Nasir El-Rufai's defection, deeming him "unfit" due to his past "anti-democratic" actions
- The group alleges El-Rufai is attempting to seize control of the SDP for personal gain, citing his demands for leadership changes and his history of authoritarianism
- The youth coalition criticizes the SDP leadership for enabling El-Rufai's entry, claiming a hidden agreement and warning of potential party destabilization
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FCT, Abuja — A significant rift has emerged within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its youth coalition vehemently rejects the recent defection of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The SDP Youths and Supporters Coalition accuses El-Rufai of attempting to hijack the party for his personal political agenda.
Source: Twitter
Group says El-Rufai unfit, morally unqualified
El-Rufai's move from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP earlier this week has ignited a firestorm of controversy, Vanguard reported.
Comrade Abdulsamad Bello, president of the youth coalition, released a scathing statement, deeming El-Rufai “unfit and morally unqualified” to be a part of the SDP.
“We reject El-Rufai’s entrance into our party in its entirety. He has come not as a reformer but as an undertaker, seeking to bury the SDP before it even has the chance to grow,” Bello stated.
The coalition cited El-Rufai’s “anti-democratic record” during his governorship as a primary reason for their rejection.
Group raises concerns over likely 'clandestine deal'
The youth group also criticized the SDP’s leadership, alleging a “clandestine deal” that facilitated El-Rufai’s defection,ThisDay reported.
They warned that his presence could destabilize the party.
“El-Rufai has never believed in democracy. His history of suppressing opposition voices, sidelining party members, and enforcing his will through coercion is well known.
“It is shocking that the leadership of our party would allow itself to be infiltrated by someone whose tenure in office was marked by impunity, authoritarianism, and disregard for democratic values," Bello added.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday, March 12 when El-Rufai’s supporters staged a demonstration at the SDP national headquarters in Abuja, demanding the resignation of the party’s national secretary, Olu Agunloye.
The youth coalition interprets this as a clear attempt by El-Rufai to seize control of the party’s leadership.
“Barely days after joining our party, El-Rufai is already pushing for a leadership change. He is demanding that Olu Agunloye resigns, even when the party has its own internal mechanisms for handling such matters. This is a clear sign of his desperation to control the SDP and mould it in his own image,” the statement read.
The coalition further accused El-Rufai of exploiting the SDP as a platform for his personal political ambitions, particularly in light of his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
SDP chieftain condemns El-Rufai’s defection
Speaking with Legit.ng on Saturday, March 15, SDP chieftain Chief Oladimeji Adekunle criticized El-Rufai’s defection, warning that his presence could disrupt the party’s stability.
“El-Rufai’s political history does not align with the values of the SDP. He is not here to build but to dominate, and we will not allow that,” Adekunle stated.
He urged the party leadership to carefully assess the implications of El-Rufai’s membership, adding,
“We cannot afford to have someone with such a divisive record dictate the future of our party.”
Buhari breaks silence after El-Rufai's claim on defection to SDP
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that former President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that he remained a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and urged the public to address him as a loyal member of the ruling party.
The former president made this known in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, saying he clarified without referring to any individual or list of personalities, principles, or issues and ideals being discussed about the APC leaders at various levels.
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Source: Legit.ng
