Wadada to Quit SDP Over El-Rufai’s ‘Unprincipled Politics’

F.C.T,Abuja – Senator Aliyu Wadada, representing Nasarawa West in the 10th Senate, has announced his imminent departure from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as the primary reason for his decision. This revelation, made during an interview in Keffi, has sent ripples through the political landscape.

Senator Wadada explicitly stated that he cannot remain in the same political fold with El-Rufai, despite acknowledging him as an elder brother, due to what he perceives as a lack of political principle. “Even though Malam El-Rufai is my elder brother, I don’t think I can stay with him in the SDP because he is not a principled politician,” Wadada asserted.

He sharply criticized El-Rufai’s recent political maneuverings, particularly his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP. Wadada reminded the public that El-Rufai was a vocal proponent of power rotation to the South and played a significant role in President Bola Tinubu’s emergence as both the APC flagbearer and ultimately the President.

“What changed in President Tinubu between the time El-Rufai supported him and now that he has defected to the SDP?” Wadada questioned, expressing his disappointment that El-Rufai’s move was, in his view, solely driven by his inability to secure a ministerial position. He labelled this defection as a display of selfish interests, emphasizing his refusal to collaborate with individuals who prioritize personal ambition over the collective good.

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent reports indicate that El-Rufai formally joined the SDP on March 10, 2025, after resigning from the APC. However, his membership has been met with some contention within the Kaduna State chapter of the SDP, with some members claiming proper procedures were not followed. Despite these internal disputes, the SDP’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, confirmed El-Rufai’s membership, expressing the party’s delight at having such a “vibrant and energetic politician.”

Meanwhile, Senator Wadada offered his perspective on the nation’s current economic climate, acknowledging the challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidies. However, he expressed optimism about the future, noting that governments at all levels are actively working to improve citizens’ welfare.

He further argued that the subsidy regime primarily benefited a select few, and its removal now allows funds to be directly allocated to state governments for crucial development projects.