Less than 48 hours after former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), crises have erupted within the party over leadership struggles and strategic direction.
The current National Secretary of the SDP, Dr. Olu Agunloye, has officially petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over an alleged conspiracy to forcibly remove him from office.
According to information gathered by New Daily Prime from members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), some SDP members loyal to El-Rufai are reportedly pressuring Agunloye to step down. A party insider who spoke to New Daily Prime under the condition of anonymity revealed that the alleged scheme is not unanimously supported within the party and, if mishandled, could spark internal discord.
Confirming the alleged plot, The Cable reported that Agunloye formally stated:
“I petitioned the IG about a person who forged letterhead paper and is threatening me to resign,”
Kogi State SDP Chairman Warns Against Unauthorized Congress
Kogi State SDP Chairman Moses Peter Oricha urges the public, security agencies, and INEC to ignore a supposedly fraudulent congress claimed by individuals posing as SDP members.
Oricha raised concerns just 24 hours after El-Rufai’s defection to the party. He emphasized that the congress of the current party executive, held on April 9, 2022, remains valid under the SDP constitution.
“Any plan to conduct an SDP congress in Kogi State cannot hold. We urge SDP supporters to disregard any such purported plan by this group of disgruntled elements who are enemies of our party.”
He further warned:
“To me, these are ghost individuals who are not members of the SDP. We urge INEC and security agencies to be on high alert. As far as the SDP is concerned, there is no congress taking place later this week or this year until April 2026, in accordance with our party’s constitution.”
On Monday, El-Rufai officially left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the SDP, a move that sent shockwaves across the political landscape.
Explaining his decision, he stated:
“At this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish.”
He cited a “growing misalignment” between his personal values and the APC’s current direction as the primary reason for his defection.
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Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, welcomed El-Rufai’s entry into the party, describing him as “an asset with a verifiable and measurable track record of public performance.”
El-Rufai is widely regarded as a key political figure, particularly in Northern Nigeria. His presence in the SDP is expected to attract former governors, senators, and other influential politicians, strengthening the party’s foothold in the region.
As internal disputes unfold, the question remains: How will El-Rufai navigate these challenges and assert his influence within the SDP? His defection has undoubtedly generated both enthusiasm and friction within the party, setting the stage for potential power struggles in the coming weeks.
