JUST IN: El-Rufai Gets New National Appointment

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced the appointment of Mallam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, as its new national leader.

The development comes barely a week after El-Rufai formally joined the party, marking a major shift in his political trajectory.

The appointment, however, has sparked controversy within the party, with The Integrity Group, a faction within the SDP, rejecting the decision and describing it as “ill-advised and disrespectful” to longstanding party members.

Party Secretariat Confirms Appointment

A statement from the SDP National Secretariat confirmed El-Rufai’s appointment, stating that the party leadership believes his experience and political influence will strengthen the SDP ahead of future elections.

“El-Rufai’s leadership will bring a new dimension to the party’s vision of providing a credible alternative for Nigerians. His track record in governance and administration will be invaluable to our mission,” the statement read.

The SDP’s decision to hand El-Rufai a leadership position so soon after his defection has raised eyebrows, especially among party loyalists who have been working to build the party for years.

Internal Opposition to El-Rufai’s Leadership

Reacting to the announcement, The Integrity Group, in a statement signed by National Coordinator, Abdullahi Muhammad Saleh, and Secretary, James Allen Ettah, dismissed the appointment as a “preposterous move”, arguing that El-Rufai is too new to the party to be given such a significant role.

“A joiner of less than one week has now been imposed as the leader of the party. This is not only unacceptable but also an insult to our noble and respected members who have nurtured this party for years,” the group stated.

They further accused the national leadership of pushing a hidden agenda, warning that the party must not be turned into a political tool for self-serving interests.

Concerns Over SDP’s Direction

The Integrity Group also expressed concerns that the appointment of El-Rufai could damage the party’s credibility, stating that the SDP must not become a safe haven for individuals seeking political refuge or evading accountability.

“The SDP is not for sale. It must remain a credible alternative for Nigerians and not be reduced to a platform for personal aggrandisement,” the group declared.

While welcoming new members, including El-Rufai, they insisted that the party must maintain discipline and uphold its founding principles, warning that failure to do so could divide the party further.

Call for Party Unity Amid Tensions

As tensions rise within the SDP over El-Rufai’s appointment, party stakeholders are calling for calm, urging members to focus on strengthening the party ahead of the next political cycle.

Whether El-Rufai will be able to navigate the internal opposition and establish himself as the leader of the SDP remains to be seen.

However, his appointment has already set off a power struggle that could shape the future of the party in the coming months.