Malam Nasir El-Rufai,
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has defended his recent meeting with the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, describing their discussion as a strategic review of Nigeria’s political and economic situation for 2024.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Gabam responded to criticisms surrounding his party’s engagement with El-Rufai, emphasizing the legitimacy of the talks.
“Why the dust about Malam Nasir El-Rufai? They say he is not significant. He’s nothing. Why the worry about El-Rufai? Why the worry about Segun Sowunmi? If they are important, why won’t the government give them the relevant roles they need to play to enhance the efficiency of the government?” Gabam queried.
He clarified that the purpose of the meeting was to strategically assess the country’s situation in 2024 as part of the party’s ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s political landscape.
“The meeting was to strategically review the situation of the country in 2024 as a party. We are an opposition party with elected members in the parliament, state assemblies, and in the local governments. So, we owe it a duty as a party to look at areas where things are not going right and open the space of the party and reach out to a lot of people.”
“It’s the same thing APC did when PDP was misbehaving; they reorganised, they regrouped, they relaunched a merger that led to the defeat of the PDP.
“So, we are not doing anything wrong. I don’t know why the brouhaha about it as if this is the first time Nasir El-Rufai visited or Segun Sowunmi, who happens to be a friend. We’ve been in this struggle for a better Nigeria, not to undermine Nigeria,” he stated.
Gabam also voiced concerns over the current administration, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet ministers of lacking the competence needed to realize the president’s vision.
He highlighted the severity of the country’s economic hardship, claiming that it was unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.
He warned that any president who faces significant challenges within the first two years of their tenure risks political fallout, referencing former President Goodluck Jonathan’s experience.
“Jonathan’s opposition started within two years before he lost the election,” Gabam noted.
