NewStats: 3,262,571 , 8,177,540 topics. Date: Monday, 02 June 2025 at 07:27 PM 4x2271

Defections of high-profile politicians widely exaggerated, add no electoral value – El-Rufai

…Says SDP Offers Credible Alternative to APC, PDP


[quote]Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has described the recent wave of defections by high-profile politicians in Nigeria as “widely exaggerated” and lacking any real electoral value.

Speaking to journalists in Kano, El-Rufai dismissed the notion that defections by governors or top politicians determine election outcomes, stressing that true political power lies with the people.

“As far as I’m concerned, the defection of high-profile politicians is not the issue,” El-Rufai said.

“These defections are good for headlines and to sell newspapers, but politically on the ground, if you don’t have the people, your profile means nothing. We want to return politics to the people, not to godfathers or so-called high-profile politicians.”

El-Rufai argued that one governor’s defection or even the collective defection of all governors would not change the will of the Nigerian electorate.

“A governor has only one vote. Nigerians have millions. If the people say no, it’s over,” he emphasized.

“Even the president had a sitting governor and still lost Lagos. I was governor of Kaduna State. I fought hard to deliver the president in my state, but I lost. Governors don’t determine election results — the people do.”

The former minister explained that his decision to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was motivated by its potential to offer Nigerians a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), both of which he said have been captured by powerful interests and plagued by internal crises.

“I believe the SDP can recreate a major political force in Nigeria. Nigerians are yearning for a credible alternative — a new brand of politics, new faces, and new style of governance,” he said.

El-Rufai stressed that the SDP must remain free of godfatherism and imposition if it is to succeed.

“The APC started well but ended up being pocketed by one or two individuals. We want to avoid that in the SDP. We are building a party that no one owns, that offers a level playing field for all aspirants.”

He further revealed that efforts are ongoing to strengthen the SDP, targeting the registration of three million voters in Kano State alone.

“We are currently focused on building the party from the grassroots,” El-Rufai concluded.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/04/defections-of-high-profile-politicians-widely-exaggerated-add-no-electoral-value-el-rufai/

Ola @Ekitiketekan

Chuks Emeka @elrufai

You dey hear the news, Tinubu no be GEJ ooo. Your shame go long Atlantic ocean ...

https://x.com/Ekitiketekan/status/1916185058366333244?t=CWmv7A0yD206wKehnWHRiw&s=19

Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai @elrufai

SHEGE KA FASA!! (Ask Google to translate, and any Hausa to elaborate.

https://x.com/elrufai/status/1916212774121640198?t=cuVGg0Ctgt3hfzWqLg3BPA&s=19

Lol that means your own defection too is exaggerated,..


All this politicians all of a sudden become a motivational speaker....


Mak the 2027 come sef anybody wey wan enta make he enta abg make we move to the next chapter...

Yes boss... 2023 says it all.

Tinubu will be a one term President except Nigerians have become goats

Hell-Rufai never say die

Let's see what will happen

El-Rufai is right on this one. Anyone following politicians on empty stomach is deranged and mad. We all know that politicians are always about satisfying their ego. They love no one so far their interests are met. Voting Tinubu again is what everyone should reject in it's totality. It's pure votes for suffering again. No one must trust anyone surrounding himself with the likes of Akpabio and Wike. They all mean no well for this country.

Dey there dey console yaself...!

Even with a coalition stronger than what C did in 2014, you still won't stop Tinubu’s reelection.

Shut the hell up dummy...

Y'all deceiving Nigerians and it's unfortunate. Both APC, PDP, LP... y'all are cut from the same cloth.


Only a damned foôl will trust these bloody criminal-minded politicians😒

He’s talking about himself. He overrated himself

Has no value na im you run go SDP.

2027, you go cry.

APC + PDP = APC

Seems like APC is confused in every single thing

Living in denial.

Dey play.

OK

is mallam joking? E fit be say na Tinubu dey use mallam self cuz Tinubu na confirmed political mafia

See who is talking

Nigerian people see nothing yet, your mentality hold you down,how come you can't use your education level to choose the right leaders

Are you sure about this?
Cos they Ronu people think the defection already won the election for Tinubu in 2025

𝑖 𝑛𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑛𝑎 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝐴𝑛𝑦𝑤𝑎𝑦
𝑛𝑜 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 7:37

[quote author=naptu2 post=135162675][/quote]

Ok. Enjoy your SDP in peace. What I know for sure is that they can’t follow you. They know you well well Mr El Rufai

Atiku is coming;his placeholder is talking!
This guy must have worked against Tinubu-intel revealed!

This man is still working for APC abeg

This one won't when get SDP ticket.

Shekarau will come and collect it. That's when the dwarf will cry properly.

Elrufai should be calming down.

When will any serious person defect to SDP