By: Daure David
Former Kaduna State Governor and leading figure in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Nasir El-Rufai, has downplayed the political significance of recent high-profile defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), including those of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Vice Presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa.
Speaking during a visit to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, El-Rufai asserted that the defections, while grabbing headlines, hold little weight in determining electoral outcomes. “It’s good for headlines, it’s good to sell your media, but on the ground, politically, if you don’t have the people, you can have as high a profile as possible — you are nothing,” he said.
The former governor stressed that political victory is not guaranteed by prominent endorsements but by genuine connection with the electorate. “As far as I am concerned, the defection of high-profile politicians is not the issue. The issue is who can solve the problems of Nigerians and communicate it to them such that on Election Day they will be motivated to come out and vote for that person,” El-Rufai noted.
He emphasized the SDP’s commitment to grassroots mobilisation and rejected the strategy of relying on political bigwigs to secure victory at the polls. “Our focus remains the people — the market women, the youths, the farmers. They are the true decision-makers,” he stated.
El-Rufai’s remarks come amid a wave of defections to the APC, which has fueled political speculation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Despite the media buzz, he insisted that political calculations must return to the needs and voices of everyday Nigerians.
During his visit to Kano, El-Rufai also met with SDP leaders in the state to strategize ahead of the upcoming elections and reinforce the party’s presence in the North.
The SDP continues to position itself as a people-driven alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape, focusing on inclusive governance, economic reforms, and grassroots empowerment.
