Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, representing Nasarawa West in Nigeria’s Senate, has revealed plans to exit the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing deep-seated disagreements with certain recent members of the party, most notably former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Speaking during a media briefing in Keffi on Sunday, Wadada emphasized that although he maintains a personal relationship with El-Rufai, political alignment with him under the SDP banner is something he can no longer accept due to ideological conflicts.
“Even though Malam El-Rufai is my elder brother, I don’t think I can stay with him in the SDP because he is not a principled politician,” Wadada stated.
The senator expressed disappointment in El-Rufai’s recent political decisions, describing them as contrary to the values and convictions that should guide public officeholders.
He particularly questioned El-Rufai’s move to the SDP, which he believes lacks consistency, especially given the former governor’s prominent role in supporting power rotation to the South and helping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerge as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wadada questioned the rationale behind El-Rufai’s defection, especially in the aftermath of his failure to secure a ministerial role under the current administration. “What changed in President Tinubu between the time El-Rufai supported him and now that he has defected to the SDP?” he asked, framing the move as driven by personal interests rather than national or ideological motivations.
He further contrasted El-Rufai’s recent actions with the steadfastness of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, whom he praised for his principled stance during the APC presidential primaries.
According to Wadada, Adamu demonstrated integrity by backing Senator Ahmad Lawan and remaining loyal to the APC despite Lawan’s loss. “That’s the kind of politics I respect—principled, not opportunistic,” Wadada said, underscoring his commitment to political consistency.
Turning attention to national issues, Senator Wadada acknowledged the economic challenges facing the country, particularly those triggered by the removal of fuel subsidies.
However, he expressed optimism, noting that the policy has allowed state governments to access increased revenues for development. He applauded Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for putting the additional funds to good use, especially in areas of infrastructure and social welfare.
“In Nasarawa State, the impact of the oil subsidy funds is visible everywhere—even to the most gullible and the blind,” he remarked.
Wadada’s announcement signals rising tensions within the SDP and raises questions about the future of the party’s internal cohesion, particularly as it welcomes high-profile defections from other parties.
What you should know
Senator Wadada plans to resign from the SDP due to ideological differences with Malam Nasir El-Rufai, whom he accuses of being politically inconsistent. Wadada believes El-Rufai’s recent defection to the SDP was motivated by personal disappointment and not principle.
