The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, has clarified the party’s stance on forming a coalition, as more politicians are expected to follow former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in joining the party.
El-Rufai officially left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the SDP on Monday, a move that has intensified discussions about opposition alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Political leaders have been exploring ways to unite opposition candidates from the 2023 election, but no formal agreement has been reached.
Amid growing speculations about a merger, Gabam dismissed the idea, saying, “The SDP is not in alignment with the proponents of a merger of political parties. It is a recipe for chaos.”
He also downplayed claims that El-Rufai’s move was linked to presidential ambitions, stressing that the party prioritizes grassroots participation.
“The party’s philosophy is entrenched in grassroots democratic participation and aligns with the politics of endorsement. Every potential aspirant must go through the process from the grassroots level to prevent imposition,” he said.
Gabam revealed that El-Rufai’s defection had sparked a wave of interest from politicians in Kaduna State and beyond, with more notable figures from the APC and other parties expected to join.
While he did not confirm specific names, party insiders suggest that former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola are among those being linked to the SDP.
However, Fayemi, in a statement yesterday, denied reports of his planned defection.
El-Rufai’s recent meetings with key political figures, including Aregbesola, Pastor Tunde Bakare, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have fueled speculations of a broader political realignment.
