A coalition of Nigeria’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) youths and supporters has accused the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, of attempting to hijack the party following his recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement by its President, Comrade Abdulsamad Bello, on Friday, March 14, 2025, the group expressly rejected El-Rufai’s defection, describing his membership as a direct threat to the core democratic values and progressive ideology that SDP stands for.

This is coming barely five days after the former Kaduna Governor officially switched allegiance to the opposition party, after months of meetings with opposition leaders for a possible coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

However, his defection sparked a storm among party members, particularly the SDP Youths and Supporters Coalition.

Speaking on Friday, Bello described El-Rufai as “unfit and morally unqualified” to be part of the SDP, citing what he called his “anti-democratic record” during his tenure as governor.

ALSO READ: Exodus in Kaduna APC – party in crisis as El-Rufai’s allies resign

“We reject El-Rufai’s entrance into our party in its entirety. He has come not as a reformer but as an undertaker, seeking to bury the SDP before it even has the chance to grow,” the group said.

SDP youths accuse party leaders of making a secret deal with El-Rufai

The coalition also criticised the party’s leadership for what it described as a “clandestine deal” that allowed El-Rufai’s defection, warning that his presence could destabilise the party.

“El-Rufai has never believed in democracy. His history of suppressing opposition voices, sidelining party members, and enforcing his will through coercion is well known.

ALSO READ: El-Rufai: Buhari approved my defection from APC to SDP

“It is shocking that the leadership of our party would allow itself to be infiltrated by someone whose tenure in office was marked by impunity, authoritarianism, and disregard for democratic values,” Bello added.

The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s arrival in the SDP has triggered tensions. A group of El-Rufai’s supporters staged a demonstration at the SDP national headquarters in Abuja, calling for the resignation of the party’s national secretary, Olu Agunloye.

The youth coalition noted that the development is evidence of El-Rufai’s attempt to seize control of the party’s leadership.

“Barely days after joining our party, El-Rufai is already pushing for a leadership change. He is demanding that Olu Agunloye resigns, even when the party has its own internal mechanisms for handling such matters. This is a clear sign of his desperation to control the SDP and mould it in his own image,” the statement added.

The group accused El-Rufai of using the SDP as a platform for his personal political ambitions, particularly in light of his recent criticisms of President Tinubu and the APC.

“El-Rufai’s resignation from the APC and his calculated entry into the SDP is nothing but a desperate attempt to reinvent himself politically.

“The same man who once insulted opposition leaders and dismissed them as irrelevant is now seeking refuge in their midst. His hypocrisy knows no bounds.

“We call on all genuine members of the SDP to rise against this backdoor takeover. The SDP is not a retirement home for failed politicians or a playground for those who trample on democracy. We will resist any attempt to mortgage our party’s future for selfish political ambitions,” Bello concluded.

Popular Nigerian comedian and politician Obinna Simon, also known as MC Tagwaye, has announced his exit from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a post on his official X and Facebook accounts on Friday, March 14, 2025, Tagwaye said he had dumped the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The entertainer-cum-politician said he arrived at the decision after months of intense consultations and introspection.

He further explained that his decision was born out of his conviction that the ruling party has deviated from its original ideals and has shunned commitment to the welfare and progress of Nigerians.

“After months of intense consultation and introspection, I, Obinna Simon, AKA MC Tagwaye, have made the bold decision to resign my membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and join the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” he wrote partly.

ALSO READ: SDP youths accuse El-Rufai of attempting to hijack the party, reject his defection

“This decisive move is born out of my deep-seated conviction that the APC has deviated from its original ideals and is no longer committed to the welfare and progress of the Nigerian people.

“The party’s glaring lack of a reward system for loyal members, its gerontocratic leadership structure, and its policies that perpetuate hardship on low-income earners have collectively sounded the death knell on my membership.”

MC Tagwaye highlights APC’s shortcomings

He claimed that the APC’s internal democracy has been atrociously compromised, with a few power brokers paddling the party’s affairs with total disregard for the voices and aspirations of the majority.

He said, “In stark contrast, the SDP has emerged as a beacon of hope, with its unwavering commitment to the youth, internal democracy, transparency, and accountability.

“The party’s vision for a new Nigeria, where the welfare and progress of all citizens are paramount, resonates deeply with me.”

Tagwaye announced that he had formally submitted his resignation letter to his APC ward chairman, marking the end of his association with the party.

“I am excited to join the SDP and contribute to the party’s mission to build a better Nigeria for all.

ALSO READ: El-Rufai: Buhari approved my defection from APC to SDP

“I urge all Nigerians who share my vision to join me on this journey. Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our great nation,“ he added.

MC Tagwaye became a popular comedian who mimicked former President Muhammadu Buhari‘s speeches and mannerisms.

His defection comes barely a day after Buhari dissociated himself from a purported plan to leave the ruling party, stressing that he remains a committed member.

This is happening less than a week after former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai announced his defection from the APC and joined the SDP, stating that his decision was based on pursuing his political ideals on a different platform.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the rationale behind his administration’s decision to embark on a raft of radical reforms, saying the primary motive was protecting the interests of future generations.

He made this known while receiving a delegation of former National Assembly colleagues from the aborted Third Republic at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Recall that Tinubu also served as a Senator representing Lagos West before the late General Sani Abacha took over government and halted the Third Republic in 1993.

The President noted that, over the years, the country had spent money meant for future generations and servicing our debt with fuel.

“For 50 years, Nigeria was spending money of generations yet unborn and servicing the West coast of our subregion with fuel. It was getting difficult to plan for our children’s future,” he was quoted as having said in a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

ALSO READ: ‘I am with you!’ – Tinubu makes fresh pledges to Nigerian youths

Tinubu lists administration’s challenges

Tinubu highlighted his administration’s challenges in its early days, especially economic and social issues, and expressed gratitude for the delegation’s support in addressing them.

“We faced serious headwinds when I took over, very challenging times. Nigeria would have been bankrupt if we had not taken the actions that we took, and we had to prevent the economy’s collapse. President Tinubu declared that the administration had been able to stem the tide and expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their collective support in turning things around.

“Today, we are sitting pretty on a good foundation. We have reversed the problem; the Exchange rate is stabilising. Food prices are coming down, especially during Ramadan. We will have light at the end of the tunnel,” the statement added.

The former Lagos State Governor reiterated that firm adherence to democratic tenets is the best route to economic, social, and political development.

ALSO READ: Economic reforms yielding fruits – Agbese slams Bafarawa over open letter to Tinubu

“I am happy that you are holding to your belief in democracy. I thank you for keeping faith and remembering how we started. Some people missed the ball. “Some leadership failed, but we kept the faith with our democratic beliefs and freedom and the right to aspire to the highest office in the land. I am benefitting from it,” Onanuga stated.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Senator Emmanuel Chiedoziem Nwaka expressed his delight at some of the programmes that the incumbent administration had implemented, lauding the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and what the two organisations were offering Nigerians.

“I appreciate you for what you are giving to students because the student population is the largest demographic in the country. I’ve spoken with many of them, and many have benefited from it.

“And the next one is the CREDICORP. That’s a major way of fighting corruption. You see a young man, you come out of school, you want to buy a car, you have to put down cash, you want to buy a house, and you are not married, but with the CREDICORP, you can get things done. I’m following their activities; we are delighted,” he said.

Other delegation members were Senator Bako Aufara Musa, Hon. Terwase Orbunde, Hon. Wasiu Logun, Hon. Amina Aliyu, High Chief Obi Anoliefo and Hon. Eze Nwauwa.