By Akinwale Kasali
Following Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to Social Democratic Party, SDP, he has been luring opposition leaders to join the New Party he has pitched his political tent with.
But former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has outrightly rejected El-Rufai’s call to join SDP.
Though the former Kaduna State Governor never mentioned Lamido’s name, he invited key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join the SDP.
El-Rufai had made this call during an interview.
But reacting to El-Rufai’s call, Lamido, while answering questions fielded by the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service on Sunday, March 16, 2025, described the former Governor’s invitation as an insult, saying the PDP laid the foundation for El-Rufai’s political career.
“The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP,” Lamido said.
He added, “He once said that there are no adults in Nigeria’s politics, but now, he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”
Lamido also questioned El-Rufai’s motive for dumping the APC for the SDP and his leadership style.
“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole,” the PDP chieftain said.
Restating his loyalty to the PDP, Lamido said the opposition party has not done anything to warrant his defection.
“If I was going to leave the PDP, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed.
“What should be done is to put patriotism first, instead of showing anger towards someone.
“The PDP has been working to rebuild its strength after losing the 2015 presidential election,” he concluded.
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