Kehinde Fajobi
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has provided insights into his recent meeting with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, addressing criticisms surrounding the engagement.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Gabam questioned the uproar over his party’s interaction with El-Rufai.
“Why the dust about Malam Nasir El-Rufai? They say he is not significant. He’s nothing. Why the worry about El-Rufai? Why the worry about Segun Sowunmi?
“If they are important, why won’t the government give them the relevant roles they need to play to enhance the efficiency of the government?” he asked.
Gabam clarified that the meeting was part of the SDP’s strategy to assess Nigeria’s political and economic situation in 2024.
“The meeting was to strategically review the situation of the country in 2024 as a party. We are an opposition party with elected members in the parliament, state assemblies, and in the local governments.
“So, we owe it a duty as a party to look at areas where things are not going right and open the space of the party and reach out to a lot of people,” he explained.
Gabam compared the move to the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) tactics during the opposition to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“It’s the same thing APC did when PDP was misbehaving; they reorganised, they regrouped, they relaunched a merger that led to the defeat of the PDP. So, we are not doing anything wrong.
“I don’t know why the brouhaha about it as if this is the first time Nasir El-Rufai visited or Segun Sowunmi, who happens to be a friend. We’ve been in this struggle for a better Nigeria, not to undermine Nigeria,” he said.
The SDP leader also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that the ministers lack the competence to deliver on the president’s vision.
He pointed out the unprecedented economic hardship facing Nigerians and warned of potential political repercussions for the ruling government.
“No president elected for a four-year term can survive politically if significant challenges arise within the first two years,” Gabam cautioned, drawing a parallel to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
“Jonathan’s opposition started within two years before he lost the election,” he added.