More prominent politicians, including governors and lawmakers, are expected to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This trend was corroborated by Shehu Musa Gabam, the National Chairman of the SDP, who said that El-Rufai’s action has drawn interest from lawmakers from all parties.
El-Rufai’s action has sparked a change in politics. It is anticipated that other well-known members of the ruling APC and other parties will do the same,” Gabam stated.
Rumor has it that former governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State may also be thinking about joining the party, despite his refusal to reveal particular names.
Fayemi has, however, denied rumors that he intends to defect, stating that he is still dedicated to the APC.
“My attention has been drawn to a story circulating on several online platforms regarding my defection from the APC. As I have had cause to state in the past, I am a card-carrying foundation member of the APC, and this position has not changed,” Fayemi stated.
Despite this, political analysts think El-Rufai’s exit portends more severe rifts inside the ruling party as worries about internal democracy and leadership conflicts keep growing.
Gabam stressed that the SDP will not look into joining forces with other parties and is still committed to promoting democratic engagement at the grassroots level.
“The SDP is not in alignment with the proponents of a merger of political parties. It is a recipe for chaos,” he added.
