KEY POINTS

• El-Rufai parted from APC to create SDP as a political party that would eliminate godfatherism in Nigerian politics.
• Having a competent person lead Nigeria was more essential to him than regional origins.
• Five political factions have started coalition negotiations to enhance the parliamentary opposition.

Nasir El-Rufai explained that his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) was to create an independent political structure that does not have godfather control nor internal leadership issues.

During his interview with journalists on a Monday in Kano El-Rufai emphasized that Nigeria requires an authentic alternative solution to overcome its expanding survival issues.

The APC and PDP were ruined by these abnormal political practices according to his assessment of improper management by political bosses and deficient party machinery.

Twelve years after his lead role in founding the APC El-Rufai observes major differences in the current political scene. *“The goal now is different. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) unites members who left their former parties because it possesses both worthy background and promising future development potential according to him.

El-Rufai leaves APC because SDP offers fresh opportunity

SDP represents a new beginning for politics because it exists without the control of individual personalities according to the previous governor. El-Rufai stated that Nigerians need a political party which grants fairness along with internal democratic practice and equal opportunity for its members.

The Emir of Kano and SDP leaders joined El-Rufai during his meeting with Muhammadu Sanusi II for coordinating grassroots mobilization strategies in Kano. The state exhibits a remarkable tendency for voter participation which makes Kano essential for any strong political effort.

El-Rufai leaves APC establishing that the Social Democratic Party meets with five prominent political groups to unify them into a potent force under the SDP while denying that the party functions as a northern initiative.

Leadership competence over regional sentiments

The current discussion about rotational presidency should stop because Nigeria needs leaders who can solve severe national problems beyond considerations of regional background.

Nigeria’s urgent issues surpass regional preferences to the extent where we need capable presidential leadership above all else. The next president must have vision and effective capabilities to resolve Nigeria’s core problems because leadership competence surpasses regional interests he stated.

El-Rufai’s transition away from APC brings pivotal changes to the upcoming electoral developments in Nigeria’s national politics.