Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, Hamza Al-Mustapha, former chief security officer to the late Gen Sani Abacha and a former presidential candidate, Segun Showunmi, an ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, met with the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday, creating suspicion of a possible alliance to dislodge the ruling party in 2027.
The meeting was held at the SDP’s national secretariat in Abuja under the leadership of Shehu Gabam, the national chairman.
The details of the meeting haven’t been made public. However, Showunmi confirmed the meeting on his Facebook page, stating that it was convened by the SDP chairman.
“You must set forth at dawn! A Strategic Meeting was called by HE Shehu Gabam, Chairman of SDP, with HE Nasir El-Rufai, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Otunba Segun Showunmi. The alternative to meet, greet, and review the state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria,” Showunmi wrote.
The meeting comes a few days after El-Rufai dismissed the rumour of his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where he is a founding member.
“Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” El-Rufai posted on his X account.
The former Kaduna governor has been throwing jibes at the presidency and the ruling party since he was denied a ministerial seat in the federal cabinet.
El-Rufai recently shared an article on his X account, accusing President Bola Tinubu of nepotism in favour of his Yoruba kinsmen. His actions signal his departure from the ruling party ahead of 2027 general elections.
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