A youth coalition within Nigeria’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) has rejected the defection of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of attempting to seize control of the party for personal political gain.

El-Rufai resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after months of meetings with opposition leaders and officially joined the SDP earlier this week.

However, his defection has sparked outrage among some party members, particularly within the SDP Youths and Supporters Coalition.

In a statement issued on Friday, the group’s president, Comrade Abdulsamad Bello, described El-Rufai as “unfit and morally unqualified” to join the SDP, citing his “anti-democratic record” during his time as governor.

“We reject El-Rufai’s entrance into our party in its entirety. He has come not as a reformer but as an undertaker, seeking to bury the SDP before it even has the chance to grow,” Bello said.

The coalition also criticised the party’s leadership for what it described as a “clandestine deal” that allowed El-Rufai’s defection, warning that his presence could destabilise the party.

“El-Rufai has never believed in democracy. His history of suppressing opposition voices, sidelining party members, and enforcing his will through coercion is well known,” Bello added.

“It is shocking that the leadership of our party would allow itself to be infiltrated by someone whose tenure in office was marked by impunity, authoritarianism, and disregard for democratic values.”

The former governor’s entry into the party has already sparked tensions.

On Wednesday, his supporters staged a demonstration at the SDP national headquarters in Abuja, calling for the resignation of the party’s national secretary, Olu Agunloye.

According to the youth coalition, this is evidence of El-Rufai’s attempt to seize control of the party’s leadership.

“Barely days after joining our party, El-Rufai is already pushing for a leadership change. He is demanding that Olu Agunloye resigns, even when the party has its own internal mechanisms for handling such matters. This is a clear sign of his desperation to control the SDP and mould it in his own image,” the statement added.

The group accused El-Rufai of using the SDP as a platform for his personal political ambitions, particularly in light of his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and the APC.

“El-Rufai’s resignation from the APC and his calculated entry into the SDP is nothing but a desperate attempt to reinvent himself politically,” Bello added.

“The same man who once insulted opposition leaders and dismissed them as irrelevant is now seeking refuge in their midst. His hypocrisy knows no bounds.

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may not have a presidential candidate in 2027 if the party doesn’t wake up from its slumber.

Primate Ayodele stated that the party needs to retrace its steps, as there are satanic forces in place aiming to ruin it completely.

In a statement by his spokesman, Oluwatosin Osho, Primate Ayodele said that even if the PDP eventually has a legally recognized candidate, the party will lose disgracefully.

He said: ‘‘If care isn’t taken, PDP will lose in 2027 unless they retrace their steps and undergo a total cleansing. PDP will not even come second, let alone third, in the election.

There are satanic forces that will ruin PDP until the party dies unless they wake up.”

The prophet stated that the party must turn to God to survive because it is rapidly declining, and those who have the power to save it are neither listening nor willing to implement the necessary reforms.

“They need to run to God, or else the party won’t survive 2027.

PDP is dying rapidly, and those who can save it won’t listen. In some states, like Lagos, the party’s candidate will not stand a chance.

If care isn’t taken, PDP may not even be able to produce a candidate in 2027 because there is a satanic spell on them. Important personalities will continue to decamp,” he said.

However, he stated that the party still has 91 days to begin the process of getting back on track, or else it will only take God’s mercy for a resurrection.

“The party has 91 days to start the process of getting back on track because the spirit of hatred and irritation has been invoked against PDP, and it will only take the mercy of God for them to rise again,” he added.

… insists nothing is beyond resolution

The APC Professional Network, the umbrella body for professionals within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said the defection of a core professional like former Governor of Kaduna state ,Nasir El-Rufai from the party was a massive betrayal.

The professional group however insisted that the matter is not beyond resolution despite his sudden movement to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), as widely reported.

This was contained in a statement signed by the group’s President General, Victor Walsh Oluwafemi on Monday stating that:

“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been a prominent figure in the APC, and his contributions to the party’s growth and governance objectives have been most significant.

” However, his decision to leave the party, coupled with the comments made during his interview, is both unexpected and disappointing. It raises concerns about the principles of party loyalty, consistency, and the commitment required to build a stronger APC.

“We acknowledge his right to association and political choice, but we cannot ignore the impact of such actions on the integrity and unity of our great party.

“The APC Professional Network remains committed to the vision and values of the APC and will continue to work tirelessly to uphold the party’s principles of good governance, accountability, and development.

Oluwafemi explained that: “As professionals within the APC, we urge our members and supporters to remain calm, focused, and resolute.

“We must not allow this development to deter us from our collective goal of advancing the party’s agenda for a prosperous and united Nigeria.

“We call on party leaders at all levels to strengthen internal cohesion and address concerns that may lead to further defections. Now, more than ever, the APC must demonstrate leadership, unity, and resolve.

Stressing further that “we remain committed to the ideals of the APC and assure our members that we will continue to engage constructively to ensure the party remains strong and united.