Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has firmly rejected ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s invitation to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), insisting that he remains loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
El-Rufai, who recently dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the SDP, had urged key opposition figures—including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola—to join him in building a strong alternative political force.
However, in a BBC Hausa interview on Sunday, March 16, 2025, Lamido dismissed El-Rufai’s call as an “insult,” reminding him that PDP was the party that paved the way for his political career.
“The PDP gave birth to El-Rufai. You are not powerful enough to make us leave the party we built,” Lamido declared.
Taking a jab at El-Rufai’s past statements, he added, “He once said there were no adults in Nigerian politics, yet now he wants us to follow him into the SDP.”
Lamido also questioned El-Rufai’s political motives and leadership style, emphasizing that governance requires patience, vision, and a commitment to national unity.
“Leadership is about peace and progress, not personal vendettas,” he said, urging El-Rufai to prioritize patriotism over political maneuvering.
Restating his commitment to the PDP, Lamido argued that if he ever wanted to leave, he would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed.
“The PDP is rebuilding, and I stand by my party,” he concluded.
