SDP
We’ve done no wrong meeting with El-Rufai, SDP Chair gives talks details
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has dismissed the concern of the All Progressives Congress (APC) about the party’s meeting with former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
Gabam, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, said the SDP has done no wrong in holding talks with El-Rufai.
According to him, if El-Rufai and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Sowunmi are essential, the administration of President Bola Tinubu will give them relevant roles to enhance the efficiency of his government.
He explained that their discussion in the meeting reviewed the situation of the country in 2024 and concluded that the ministers in President Tinubu’s cabinet lacked the capacity to implement his vision.
Gbam, who said Nigeria has never experienced this level economic hardships, asked: “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?
“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.
“It’s the same things APC did when PDP was misbehaving; they re-organised, 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.
“No president that was elected to serve four years and has issues in two years can survive. Jonathan’s opposition started within two years – he lost election.”