Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and allies of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, met at the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.
The private gathering has sparked discussions about potential shifts in political alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting drew attention due to the presence of notable figures such as Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former presidential candidate, and Otunba Segun Showunmi, a former Atiku spokesperson.
While the purpose of the gathering remains unofficial, it appears to signal efforts to foster collaboration among individuals with shared interests in Nigeria’s progress.
SDP Chairman, Shehu Gabam stated, “There is no official statement from El-Rufai or any one of them about officially joining SDP. So, as I said, they are open to conversation and negotiations for a better Nigeria. It’s not about a political party; it’s about the future of Nigeria.
“We are looking for like-minded people who believe in the future of the country so that we can work together and uplift the individual standard of Nigeria.
“It’s not just them. The attention of the media only went to them. I have received a lot of dignitaries from different political parties in the office, discussing the way forward, how to stabilise the country, and how to offer productive, progressive advice to this government so that there will not be a crisis.
“Because once the government has a crisis, it affects every Nigerian. So, part of our responsibilities is to make sure we are not facing a crisis. When the time comes, we will decide what to do about other things.
“There is an ongoing conversation. When the time comes, we will arrive at a conclusion, and we will hold an official press conference. Once we agree on what we are going to do together, we will unveil it to all Nigerians. But at the preliminary stage, we are having our own social gatherings and discussing national issues.”
