Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared his strong support for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the ideal political platform for the emerging opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Monday, El-Rufai made it clear that while discussions within the coalition remain ongoing regarding whether to adopt an existing party or register a new one, he personally considers the SDP to be the most viable option.

“I strongly believe that the SDP is the best platform for the coalition. It has a history, it has a legacy, it has a sentimental value, and everything about it is almost perfect. The name, the logo, everything. It has a history, and I’m advocating for that amongst my colleagues,” he said.

The former governor, who recently joined the SDP, affirmed his commitment to uniting the opposition under one banner and indicated his willingness to defer to the collective decision of the coalition leadership.

“But it will be a collective decision… I will do whatever I can to ensure that we unite under one platform,” he added.

El-Rufai clarified that although he is now a member of the SDP, his participation in the coalition does not represent the party in any official capacity but as an individual with political experience and influence.

“I am part of the leadership, but I am not there representing SDP. I am there as an individual with some political weight, no matter how small, in my state or in the northwest.”

He revealed that the coalition had already begun engaging with multiple parties while also exploring the registration of a new party as part of a two-pronged strategy to avoid interference from the ruling APC.

“Very early in our discussions, the leaders of the coalition took the decision that we’ll not only look for existing platforms and identify one that is suitable for all of us to go under one roof, but we’ll also explore the possibility of registering a brand new party.”

While expressing scepticism about the independence of INEC to register a new political party under the current administration, El-Rufai said both paths are being pursued to ensure a viable option is available when a consensus is reached.

He maintained that, for him, the SDP stands out in both symbolism and substance, and remains the most appealing and unifying platform among the existing parties being considered by the coalition.

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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