The former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and allies of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, held a private meeting with the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday. The closed-door meeting, held at the SDP’s national secretariat in Abuja, is seen as a significant step toward potential alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those present were Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former presidential candidate and ex-Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, and Otunba Segun Showunmi, Atiku’s former spokesman. The meeting, convened by SDP Chairman Shehu Gabam, brought together influential opposition figures to discuss the future of Nigeria’s political landscape.
Segun Showunmi shared insights into the gathering through a Facebook post, describing it as a “strategic meeting” aimed at evaluating the state of opposition politics in the country. “You must set forth at dawn! A Strategic Meeting was called by HE Shehu Gabam, Chairman of SDP, with HE Nasir El-Rufai, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, and myself. The goal is to meet, greet, and review the state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria,” he wrote.
In an interview with The PUNCH Shehu Gabam emphasized that the meeting was not about individuals switching political parties but rather about fostering collaboration for Nigeria’s progress. “There is no official statement from El-Rufai or any one of them about officially joining SDP,” Gabam clarified. “We are looking for like-minded people who believe in the future of the country so that we can work together to uplift Nigeria.”
Gabam also highlighted the party’s role in providing constructive opposition. “SDP is a responsible party by history and analysis. Our interest is our country first, above any other consideration. We want a peaceful, stable Nigeria with economic prosperity and political stability for investors,” he added.
The meeting comes just two days after El-Rufai publicly dismissed rumors of his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, El-Rufai described the rumors as “patent lies” and announced plans to take legal action against those spreading misinformation. “Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” he wrote.
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A close associate of El-Rufai also dismissed the claims, attributing them to mischief-makers aiming to stir political controversy. Despite this, El-Rufai’s involvement in the SDP meeting has raised eyebrows, with political analysts suggesting potential cracks within the ruling APC.
Gabam revealed that the SDP regularly engages with individuals from various political parties to discuss strategies for stabilizing the country and fostering progress. “It’s not just them. I have received a lot of dignitaries from different political parties discussing the way forward. Our aim is to provide productive advice to the government and prevent crises,” he stated.
He added that ongoing conversations could lead to formal alliances. “When the time comes, we will arrive at a conclusion and hold an official press conference. But for now, we are having social gatherings and discussing national issues.”
The involvement of prominent figures like El-Rufai and Atiku’s allies in discussions with SDP leaders signals a growing effort among opposition groups to consolidate their forces. As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the opposition appears focused on presenting a united front capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.
“This meeting marks the beginning of something significant,” Gabam noted. “We are looking to build a coalition of like-minded individuals who can work together for Nigeria’s future.”
Political analysts are closely monitoring these developments, as the evolving alliances could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape in the lead-up to the elections. For now, the meeting remains a pivotal moment in the country’s journey toward 2027.