Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai More
guidance regarding the rumored coalition among opposition parties ahead of the
general election in 2027 was provided by the meeting last week between a few
political players and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) leadership.
Political heavyweights such as former Kaduna State
Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s ally Hamza
Al-Mustapha, and SDP Chairman Shehu Gabam were among those present during the
January 6 meeting. As the 2027 election approaches, it has continued to garner
media attention and provoke sentiments among Nigerians in recent days.
Sources within the main opposition People’s Democratic
Party (PDP) told BusinessDay that the meeting was part of the efforts to
strategize going forward, despite the SDP national chairman’s denial that it
was connected to the planned merger of opposition parties against the ruling
All Progressives Congress (APC) for the general election in 2027.
According to the sources, the opposition leaders have
realized how important it is to work together and would look into all ways to
make that happen. “Yes, a meeting was held, as you are aware; it might have
been called for additional consultation; the politicians were planning to
discuss an alliance, but it might be too soon to make any assumptions at this
time; let’s wait and see what happens over the next few months.
The source stated, “I want to think the leaders are
working toward a common interest, but there is nothing solid yet.” Segun
Showunmi, a PDP chieftain who attended the meeting and collaborated closely
with Atiku before the general election in 2023, claimed in a post on his
Facebook page that the meeting was strategic. The purpose of the gathering,
according to Showunmi, was to assess the opposition’s democratic participation
in Nigeria and develop a more powerful opposition in front of the general election
in 2027.
“You have to leave at first light! SDP chairman HE
Shehu Gabam called a strategic discussion with Otunba Segun Showunmi, HE Nasir
El-Rufai, and major Hamza Al-Mustapha. Showunmi remarked, “The alternative is
to meet, greet, and assess the level of opposition democratic engagement in
Nigeria.” According to some other reports, the meeting last week was a part of
ongoing efforts to strengthen opposition leaders’ alliances in order to mount a
united front against President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
El-Rufail refuted a report last week that he was
considering leaving the ruling APC for an opposition group. In a tweet on his X
Twitter on Sunday, the former governor of Kaduna State urged Nigerians to
ignore the assertion. “Please ignore the rumors and outright lies regarding my
political affiliation. The former governor of Kaduna declared, “My lawyers have
referred the main propagandists of the fake news for action.”
Since being passed over for a ministerial position in
the federal cabinet, the former governor of Kaduna has been making fun of the
president and the ruling party. In a recent post on his X account, El-Rufai
accused President Bola Tinubu of favoring his Yoruba relatives through
nepotism. His acts, according to observers, may indicate that he is leaving the
ruling party before the general election in 2027.
Many Northern leaders have joined the opposition and
formed a coalition ahead of 2027 after voicing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s
administration’s leadership style and contentious policies in recent months.
The League of Northern Democrats (NLD), led by former Kano State Governor
Ibrahim Shekarau, made hints last weekend about plans to change its name to a
political party in front of the general election in 2027. Political analysts
have questioned the opposition alliance’s ability to overthrow the ruling party
in recent months.
Many worry that due to the political actors’ own
ambitions and interests, such an alliance may not work out or may break down at
the last minute. In particular, if parties do not exercise caution or engage in
a cordial discussion, selecting a candidate to represent the group as president
may lead to discord. Speaking at the gathering, SDP chairman Gabam stated that
neither El-Rufai nor anyone else has made any formal announcement regarding
their intention to join the party.
“As I stated, they are receptive to dialogue and
discussions for a better Nigeria,” he said. The future of Nigeria is at stake,
not a political party. “We are looking for like-minded people who believe in
the future of the country so that we can work together and uplift the
individual standard of Nigeria,” he added, underscoring the party’s dedication
to promoting national prosperity.
In order to stabilize the nation and avert problems
that might have an impact on Nigerians, Gabam also emphasized that the SDP was
a party committed to offering constructive opposition. “A discussion is under
progress. At the appropriate moment, we will reach a decision and have a formal
news conference. We will reveal it to all Nigerians after we have decided on
what we will do jointly,” Gabam emphasized.
On social media, numerous Nigerians have responded to
images and stories of the politicians’ encounter. Some praised the event, but
others cautioned that some of the attendees might not be reliable. “I just hope
Mallam El-Rufai won’t go and take the Atiku option,” Elijah Uwa remarked. I
firmly believe that he is more politically aware than Al-Mustapha and his
associates. Without a certain, in order to advance the nation, we must form a
single opposition alliance before 2027.
Additionally, Sunday Mark stated: “The Wikes, Bwalas,
and Renos of this world have taught these other politicians nothing if they
haven’t learned how divisive politics are played using random people who pose
as good Samaritans.” @elrufai must have to be cautious around some individuals.
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