Some prominent politicians in the country including a former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and former presidential candidate, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha have met with the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja, to strategise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The closed-door meeting, which took place at the SDP national secretariat, has sparked speculations about potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In attendance at the parley was People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s former spokesman, Otunba Segun Showunmi.
Although the specific agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it is being described as part of a broader strategy to forge alliances among opposition figures with the aim of presenting a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu in the next election cycle.
el-Rufai, once a supporter, but now critic of President Tinubu’s style of governance, did not make the ministerial list after the Senate withheld his confirmation and those of two others, citing security reports from the Department of State Security Service (DSS) last year.
Two others, who did not make the ministerial list at the time were a former Senator from Taraba, Sani Danladi, and a nominee from Delta State, Stella Okotete.
Showunmi confirmed the meeting in a Facebook post, describing it as a “strategic gathering” convened by SDP Chairman, Shehu Gabam, to evaluate the state of opposition politics in Nigeria.
“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.
This is coming two days after El-Rufai had denied the claim in some quarters that he was planning to dump the ruling APC for an opposition party.
The former Kaduna governor in a post on his X handle on Sunday asked Nigerians to disregard the claim.
El-Rufai posted, “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.”
However, the involvement of prominent APC figures like El-Rufai in discussions with SDP leaders has fuelled speculation about potential cracks within the ruling party.
While El-Rufai remains a key figure in the APC, his participation in opposition-related activities is being closely watched by political analysts.
As Nigeria inches toward the 2027 elections, this meeting signals an intensifying effort among opposition groups to consolidate and strategize for a united front against the ruling APC.
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