SAHARA REPORTERS
Former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, along with his allies, plans to completely overhaul the structure and identity of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following their recent defection to the party.
Sources revealed to SaharaReporters that El-Rufai is working alongside Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation, and Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha.
According to insiders, El-Rufai and his associates believe the party’s ideological stance is too socialist and are uncomfortable with its historical connection to Moshood Abiola (MKO), who won the 1993 presidential election under the SDP before it was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
“El-Rufai, Al-Mustapha, and Malami are pushing to change the party’s name, logo and constitution,” a senior party source disclosed.
“They consider the party too socialist and want to distance themselves from MKO Abiola’s legacy, tied to the annulled 1993 election.
“They don’t want anything to do with MKO Abiola, as he won the 1993 election annulled by Babangida and Co., under the party’s platform.”
Party sources also revealed that El-Rufai has yet to join the SDP through the proper channels officially. Instead of registering at his ward, as required by party regulations, he reportedly submitted his resignation letter from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP national secretariat and declared his membership.