Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai made this appeal while expressing disappointment in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that his expectations of a progressive government had not been met.
El-Rufai revealed that he and many others supported Tinubu’s presidency based on his track record as Lagos State Governor, despite the controversies surrounding him.
“What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in would do well, because we saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges.
“We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed.” He said.
El-Rufai also addressed claims that he had betrayed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that their relationship goes beyond politics.
“I never betrayed Atiku Abubakar because we didn’t meet in politics; we met at work. In work, if I see that he didn’t do well, whoever he is, I will tell him,” he explained.
He further recalled his stance on past administrations, noting that he had challenged Muhammadu Buhari in court over the naira redesign policy and sided with Olusegun Obasanjo during his fallout with Atiku.
“When Obasanjo and Atiku were having issues, those of us working with Obasanjo looked at the issues between them and said Obasanjo was more right. It was not about north and south; Obasanjo was right,” he stated.
Despite their past differences, El-Rufai emphasized his current alliance with Atiku, questioning the narrative that he had once betrayed him.
“Atiku and I are now together, and if I betrayed him, why are we together now?” he asked.
This new shift indicates that El-Rufai’s political future remains a subject of speculation, as his call for opposition unity signals a potential realignment ahead of the next general election.
