Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna state, says
“Kano is critical of any serious political formation because of its consistently
high voter turnout”.
The former governor of Kaduna spoke on Monday when he
visited Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, in his palace.
El-Rufai, who recently dumped the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC) to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said Nigeria urgently
requires a trustworthy political alternative to save the country from its
existential crisis.
“Kano is critical to any serious political formation because
of its consistently high voter turnout,” he said.
“After joining the SDP, it was important to come and engage
with stakeholders here.
“Twelve years ago, we merged three major parties to form the
APC and defeated an incumbent president. But now, the goal is different.
“We are bringing together disaffected members across
political divides under an existing platform — the SDP — which we believe has
the best pedigree and potential.”
The former governor said he joined the SDP to help create a
credible political alternative free from godfatherism.
He added that godfatherism and dysfunction had ruined both
the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“We have seen how godfatherism destroyed the PDP and is now
wrecking the APC. Nigerians deserve a party built on fairness, internal
democracy, and equal opportunity; the SDP can be that alternative,” he said.
He added that, despite previously supporting southern
leadership rotation, Nigeria’s pressing issues now necessitate prioritising
capability and effective governance over regional origins in choosing leaders.
‘DEFECTIONS TO APC DON’T BOTHER ME’
Reacting to the movement of opposition politicians,
including Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, to the APC, El-Rufai said he
is not bothered by the wave of defections, adding that the will of the people
would prevail.
He noted that the SDP remained focused on grassroots
mobilisation rather than courting political bigwigs.
“A governor only has one vote. Elections are won by the
people, not by politicians. Our focus is on mobilising ordinary Nigerians, not
chasing high-profile defections,” he said.
“You are seeing northern energy because we’re currently in
Kano, but I have been engaging leaders across Lagos, Anambra, and the south-south.
“Nation-building is grassroots work, not media shows. You’ll
see the results when the time is right.”
El-rufai added that the ongoing coalition talks involving
five major political groups aimed at forming a strong opposition movement under
the SDP.
“It’s a broader national movement for disillusioned
Nigerians. Progress is being made, although I had to move faster in Kaduna
because many of my political associates needed an immediate platform,” he said.
The former governor said his political moves have always
been guided by loyalty to Nigeria, not to individuals or political parties.
“When things began to go wrong under President Buhari, I
wrote to him warning about the dangers – and when the naira redesign policy
also hurt Nigerians,” he said.
“I challenged it in court, even though it was an APC-led
government. I have never been loyal to individuals over the nation.”
He asked young Nigerians not to give up hope but to join the
movement for a better future.
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