Several Nigerians, including lawyers, politicians and activists have dismissed the recent defection of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai as inconsequential in Nigeria’s current political matrix.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
El-Rufai decamped from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where he was a frontline member, to the Social Democratic Party (PDP), which could be regarded as a minnow in the comity of political parties in the country.
The diminutive, but influential Northern politician literarily set the political environment on fire when, few weeks ago, it became a public knowledge that he had been hobnobbing with several opposition politicians, including those from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), but surprisingly ended up in the SDP.
During some recent media outings, El-Rufai,a one-time Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), expressed his discontent with the ruling party, saying that President Bola Tinubu reneged on an earlier agreement to appoint him a minister in his cabinet, an action which was attributed to security reports.
However, the question on the minds of several observers was why El-Rufai, a top ‘Progressive’ politician, could not join any of the major political parties, even when it was an open secret that he was championing a deft move that would lead to a realignment of Northern and Southern political forces to give a devastating blow to the President Tinubu-led ruling APC administration.
Barrister Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman of Action Alliance, one of those who spoke to Sunday Independent on the development, stated that the National Chairman of SDP, is his very close ally.
Explaining further, Chief Udeze stated: “Based on his revolutionary and visionary leadership propensity, he has been able to transform their party (SDP) to become one of the beautiful brides in party politics and membership mobilisation capacity.
“It is not a surprise that El-Rufai and the new entrants they just recorded, joined the party.
“Another very important reason is that like our party, the Action Alliance (AA), many Nigerians with vision to contest elections seek to join political parties with less or no issues, although I am aware of the challenge with the SDP National Secretary position.”
Barrister Olalekan F. Ojo, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, who spoke to Sunday Independent, said the political defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the SDP, instead of the PDP or LP highlights the persistent fragmentation within Nigeria’s opposition.
Barrister Ojo, strong advocate of social justice and the Managing Partner, Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, stated: “This inability to form a formidable party stems from ideological disparities, personal ambitions, and a lack of cohesive leadership.
“The absence of a unified opposition weakens democratic accountability and undermines the electorate’s choice.
“For Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, opposition parties must prioritise collective goals over individual interests, fostering a stronger, more unified front to effectively challenge the ruling APC.
“Legal frameworks promoting party cohesion and internal democracy could further address these systemic challenges.”
Another Lagos lawyer, Barrister Emeka Iheonu, who also spoke to Sunday Independent on the issue, stated: “I am not a politician currently though some associates have been encouraging me over the years.
“But, I still pray for the adoption of independent candidacy to avoid godfatherism issues. I do not think there is a difference between the SDP, APC and PDP as it relates to Mallam El-Rufai.
“There is no strong opposition party against the ruling party. Most politicians in Nigeria are selfish, greedy, corrupt, etc.
“Whatever they tell us in the open is quite different from what they do secretly or in camera.”
However, Professor John Ebhomien, a public affairs analyst, in his contribution, said the dumping of APC and defection to SDP by Nasir el-Rufai, the former Kaduna State governor, could best be described as political rascality taken too far.
Professor Ebhomien, a chieftain of the APC, stated: “I wonder why he made such a move, knowing fully that the SDP does not have the formidable structures and funds required to wrestle power from the APC government.
“The APC is firmly on ground and fully ready to win re-election come 2027. The inability of the opposition bigwigs to constitute a formidable party is due to self-immolation and aggrandisement.
The gods are not to blame. “Sincerely speaking, the divine hands of God Almighty are upon the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is on a mission ordained by God.
“Those political bigwigs who are anxious to become president in 2027 should wait for 2031. They should save their time and money.”
Bishop Dr. Herbert Ekechukwu, a clergyman and public affairs analyst, asked: “Why are the opposition parties not coming together to form a formidable credible opposition capable of snatching power from APC come 2027? “The following are the reasons: Ideological divide.
The opposition parties have different and divergent ideology policies and values policies, making it impossible to have a convergent unity of purpose.
“Secondly, selfishness and self-centeredness: To most politicians, personal self-centredness and egocentrism are only what they believe and practice.
“Their personal and parochial interests override collective goals. “Lack of trust in politicians: Politicians do not trust one another.
“Competing for the same voter base, making it too difficult for them to cooperate with each other, “Among some crucial factors is fear of losing identity.
The merger of two or three parties may lead to some powerful people being subsumed and lose their preeminence.
“Another factor is the lack of unifying figures and past conflicts and betrayals as well as ethnic and regional divisions.
“Ethnic and regional divisions are so pronounced in such cases, leading to the issue of who will play the second fiddle.”
Comrade Baba Aye, a veteran Leftist activist and Co-Convener, Coalition For Revolution (CORE), stated: “In my view, the issues are actually more complex than that, regarding opposition parties and being formidable or not.
“But, first on El-Rufai, he is the archetype of the Nigerian capitalist politician; self-serving, opportunistic, treacherous, deceitful and with an overblown ego.
“On the issue of the parties, this will be the fourth party El-Rufai will be joining. And it is not surprising. “All these parties of the ruling class are on the same team.
The ones you see as not being formidable are on the reserve bench of that team. “So, we should not look at any of them with a serious sense of being in opposition.
Essential opposition would mean fundamental differences in their politics. It will mean being on a different team.
“The African Action Congress (AAC) is the only party on that side now, on the people’s side. And I cannot see El-Rufai or any other capitalist politician wanting to join it or being welcomed by the party.” The…..CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE
