Why El-Rufai’s Defection To SDP Is Hasty – Close Ally, Lukman

Former National Vice-Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Salihu Lukman, has described the defection of Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai from the ruling Party to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as too hasty.

Dr Lukman, a close political ally to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, told journalists in Abuja on Monday that El-Rufai’s defection could disrupt ongoing negotiations for a broader political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He noted that El-Rufai’s defection had been anticipated, adding however that he should have exercised more patience to allow coalition talks to be finalised.

Lukman said; “It was expected. Even after the interview he granted on a national television, you can see the handwriting on the wall. But whether it is going to come so soon is what even I couldn’t have said.

“My expectation was that he should have been a bit patient for us to work as a group based on the current negotiation that is ongoing,” the former APC chieftain said.

While acknowledging the right of El-Rufai to political association, Lukman noted that the timing of his defection might have unintended consequences for opposition realignments.

Asked if he would be joining El-Rufai in the SDP, Lukman, who was former Director-General of Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), said that could only happen if the party is able to meet the conditions set for it.

According to him; “At the moment, they are yet to meet the conditions. We are in discussion, no doubt about it. If they meet the conditions tomorrow, fine”.

Speaking on the planned coalition, Lukman said that negotiations were still ongoing, adding that discussion about whether the SDP will be there or not has been an ongoing thing.

Lukman further said; “The challenge is the question of whether SDP will submit itself to some of the conditions that we believe are necessary.

“While most conventional politicians just need a platform to achieve political power, there are a few politicians, including myself, who believe the issue is beyond that.

“What Nigerians need is a platform that will promote political competition in the country. If you remember, the problem Nigerians had with PDP is the problem of imposition of candidates,” he stressed.