Ahead of the anticipated 2027 general election, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, made a noteworthy visit to the national secretariat of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a widely circulated video on social media, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who remains a prominent figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was seen engaging in discussions with Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, the national chairman of the SDP.
According to insider information, Gabam warmly received El-Rufa’i, acknowledging his significant political stature and describing him as a friend. Gabam expressed his belief in the necessity of transformational leaders like El-Rufa’i for Nigeria’s progress.
During the meeting, Gabam underscored the importance of national unity and collaboration among stakeholders, emphasizing the need to set aside ethnic, regional, and political differences. He stressed the urgency of addressing pressing challenges such as hunger, insecurity, joblessness, kidnapping, and inflation.
El-Rufa’i was greeted by members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the SDP, signifying the significance of his visit.
It is noteworthy that El-Rufai has embarked on a series of consultation visits to various political figures across different party lines in recent times. However, a minor incident occurred towards the end of the meeting during a photo session, where someone cautioned against leaking photos of the visit on social media. In response, El-Rufa’i boldly asserted, “I don’t care.”
El-Rufai’s outreach to opposition parties indicates a broader effort to engage with diverse political perspectives in the lead-up to the forthcoming elections, underscoring the importance of inclusive dialogue and collaboration in Nigeria’s political landscape.
