By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in 2023, Adewole Adebayo, has described former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai’s defection to the party as a welcome development, saying it is time for good politics.
While reacting to el-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his X handle, Adebayo described the former governor as hardworking and sagacious.
“On behalf of the teeming members of SDP and patriotic democrats who believe in Nigeria and her promise of inevitable greatness, I heartily welcome my dear brother, el-Rufai, to our party.
“With the hardworking and sagacious Malam joining our ranks, an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity.
“Now is the time for us to put our collective shoulders behind the efforts to fulfill chapter 2 of the constitution and rescue Nigerians from bad governance and underdevelopment,” he said.
According to him, all genuine Democrats and true Nationalists who believe in order, decency, and honesty are welcome at SDP.
Adebayo described SDP as a party governed by law, not men, constitution, constipation of money, or personal ambition.
“Together, following the law, the constitution, and the manifesto of our party, we can set a good example of clean and ethical politics to emulate and rally Nigeria to the forefront of the liberation of Africa and peoples of the Black World.
“Good politics begets good governance. Let no one sit on the fence any further. There is no time to waste. Join us on the March Again!” the former presidential candidate said.
*We’re not disturbed over his defection– Kaduna APC
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State chapter of the APC has said it will not lose sleep over the defection of the state’s immediate past governor, el-Rufai, to the SDP.
The state APC secretary, Yahaya Pate, said the party was unperturbed by the former governor’s defection.
According to him, the party is focused on delivering Kaduna State to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027.
He expressed confidence in the party’s growing strength in the state, noting that the recent defection of high-profile politicians from opposition parties into the APC indicates its acceptability and popularity in the state.
“We are unperturbed by former governor Nasir el-Rufai’s defection to another party. Our focus in Kaduna is on delivering the state to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027.
“The APC in Kaduna State is growing daily, judging from the calibre of politicians streaming into the party daily. So, we are not disturbed by anybody defecting to another party based on our governor’s inclusive governance in Kaduna State. We are not disturbed, and we are not going to lose sleep over el-Rufai’s moves.”
El-Rufai said his defection was due to the party leaders’ unwillingness to address specific issues he had raised.
“At this point in my political journey, I have concluded that I must seek another political platform to pursue the progressive values I cherish,” the former governor said.
“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development. These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years; I find this no longer acceptable.”
