By Alhaji Sule Lamido, has criticized ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over his call for opposition politicians to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Lamido dismissed the invitation, questioning El-Rufai’s political consistency and commitment to national development.
El-Rufai, who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the SDP, urged opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola to follow his lead. He argued that the PDP and Labour Party were no longer strong opposition forces, claiming they had been taken over by the ruling APC.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Lamido rejected El-Rufai’s claim, saying, “The PDP that we built is the same party that made him who he is today. How can a grandson claim his grandfather knows nothing?” He accused El-Rufai of lacking ideological direction, noting that he once dismissed Nigeria’s political elders but later sought counsel from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Lamido maintained that despite its challenges, PDP remains his political home. “If PDP is struggling today, it is still the party that nurtured El-Rufai. If he claims PDP is dead, then he must remember that it gave him his political foundation,” he stated. He questioned why El-Rufai and his allies were now leaving APC after abandoning PDP in 2014.
The former governor emphasized that governance should not be driven by emotions or personal vendettas. “Leadership is about patience, foresight, and working for the peace of the people. If you allow emotions to dictate your decisions, you will never lead objectively,” he warned.
Lamido also cautioned against fighting President Bola Tinubu out of anger or revenge, insisting that leadership should prioritize national interests. He urged politicians to focus on strengthening democracy rather than making impulsive decisions driven by resentment.
