A coalition of youths within the Social Democratic Party SDP has openly rejected the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, expressing strong disapproval of his move to join their party. According to them, El-Rufai’s political history is marked by authoritarian rule, suppression of opposition voices, and disregard for inclusivity, all of which contradict the values that the SDP upholds.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, March 14, 2025, the leader of the youth coalition, Comrade Abdulsamad Bello, described El-Rufai as unfit and morally unqualified to be part of the party. He also warned that his presence in the SDP could create instability and damage the party’s credibility.
Why Are SDP Youths Rejecting El-Rufai
A Track Record of Authoritarian Leadership
The youth coalition stated that during his tenure as the Governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai ruled with an iron fist, implementing policies that allegedly suppressed opposition voices and disregarded the needs of the people. They believe that his style of governance was far from democratic, as he was often accused of making unilateral decisions without consulting key stakeholders.
According to them, his leadership style was characterized by:
Authoritarianism as he allegedly made decisions without regard for public opinion
Lack of inclusivity as his government allegedly neglected minority groups
Political impunity as he was said to have disregarded dissenting voices within the political system
The youth group insists that someone with such a political history cannot be trusted to promote democracy within the SDP.
Accusations of Political Opportunism
Another major reason why the SDP youths have rejected El-Rufai is their belief that he is joining the party purely for political survival rather than for genuine ideological alignment.
The former governor, who was once a key figure in the All Progressives Congress APC, recently had a fallout with the ruling party and President Bola Tinubu. According to the youth coalition, his decision to suddenly defect to the SDP is a strategic move to remain politically relevant, rather than a sincere desire to promote the party’s values.
They also pointed out that in the past, El-Rufai had criticized opposition leaders, making it ironic that he is now seeking refuge in an opposition party. This, they argue, exposes the hypocrisy in his political maneuvers.
Alleged Attempt to Take Control of the Party
The youths further alleged that El-Rufai is not just seeking to join the SDP but also intends to take control of the party’s leadership.
As evidence, they referenced a recent protest by El-Rufai’s supporters at the SDP national headquarters in Abuja, where they called for the resignation of the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye. The youth coalition believes this is a deliberate attempt to hijack the party’s leadership structure and position himself as a dominant force within the SDP.
They have urged the party’s leadership to be cautious, warning that El-Rufai’s entry could lead to division and conflict within the SDP.
SDP Leadership Under Fire for Accepting El-Rufai
Apart from rejecting El-Rufai’s defection, the youth coalition also criticized the SDP leadership for allegedly allowing what they described as a clandestine deal that facilitated his entry into the party.
They questioned the transparency of the decision and warned that backdoor political arrangements could jeopardize the credibility of the SDP. They urged party leaders to prioritize democratic principles and inclusivity, rather than making secret agreements that might cause internal strife.
The youths emphasized that the SDP must remain a party of integrity, and allowing someone with El-Rufai’s political history into its ranks could send the wrong message to both party members and the general public.
What This Means for the SDP
El-Rufai’s defection to the Social Democratic Party SDP has already caused significant controversy, and it remains to be seen how the party leadership will handle the situation.
Will they side with the youth coalition and reject El-Rufai’s membership to protect the party’s democratic values, or will they accept him despite the potential risks?
As this political drama unfolds, one thing is certain—the SDP is at a crossroads, and its decision on El-Rufai’s defection could shape its future trajectory.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as new information emerges.
