The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has clarified the nature of his recent discussion with All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Nasir El-Rufai.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Thursday, Gabam defended his party’s decision to engage in talks with the former Kaduna governor.
Gabam expressed surprise at the controversy surrounding the meeting, questioning, “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 further explained, “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.”
Gabam drew a parallel to the APC’s actions when they ousted the PDP, saying, “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.” He continued to emphasize, “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.”
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over the current state of Nigeria’s leadership, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet lacks the capacity to fulfill his vision for the country. “Nigeria has never faced the economic hardship they are facing today,” Gabam remarked.
He also pointed to past leadership challenges, saying, “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.”
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