Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has addressed the rumors surrounding his recent visit to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) office in Abuja. Amid speculation of a possible defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai has sought to set the record straight.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai emphasized that his visit to the SDP headquarters was a mere courtesy call in response to a prior visit from the party’s chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam. He stressed that the visit was not indicative of any impending political move.
“I consider the most recent speculations about Malam Nasir El-Rufai as reflecting an unhealthy obsession with politics.”
“People have personal histories and relationships that predate political affiliations. It cannot be a hallmark of civilization to have friends from within only your political party.”
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai is a senior member of the APC, one of the signatories to its merger documents, and a significant contributor to the party’s demonstrated viability. These contributions do not require that he treats friends as anathema on account of politics or maintains an antiseptic distance from them.”
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai hosted some friends to Iftar on Tuesday, 19 March 2024. NSA Nuhu Ribadu was at the Iftar with a senior APC figure like Alh. Kashim Imam. SDP National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam was among the friends who partook in the Iftar. Gabam was not accused of considering crossing over to the APC on account of that.”
“When Malam Nasir El-Rufai visited Gabam the next day, he was merely returning a visit to a friend who happens to be the SDP chairman.”
“Malam El-Rufai is known for being open and forthright. If he had any political decisions to make, it would not be in character to let them be subject to speculation.”
“Unfounded speculations about Malam Nasir El-Rufai have become an industry that has delivered tons of lies and clickbait in the last 18 years.”
“A recent instance was when he visited former presidents late in 2023 to explain his Nigerian governance study book project covering each of their tenures, the speculators said it was about politics!”
“That is why it is sometimes necessary to clarify matters lest the unwary be taken in.”
