Politics

SDP warns Kaduna gov against persecuting El-Rufai

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2025

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai

SDP warns Kaduna gov against persecuting El-Rufai

In a sudden turn of fortune, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is blowing hot, warning the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, against persecuting its members, including the former governor of the state, Nasir el-Rufai.

This is a dramatic shift from years of existence as one of the ‘mushroom’ political parties in the country. The positive turn of events follows defectors the party is receiving, including el-Rufai and his appointees.

The party is also taking part in serious coalition talks with the big two in the opposition—the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party.

Following its renewed popularity, the party on Friday issued a strongly worded statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, against the mistreatment of its members, accusing Uba Sani of hounding them for defecting from the governor’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The statement, which is widely being shared by Sani’s predecessor, Nasir el-Rufai, who referred to the SDP as “our party,” said it wishes to bring to the attention of all Nigerians that the party has been informed about plans to suppress opposition figures to instil fear in political circles.

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The party says this strategy aims to deter further defections to “our party by using intimidation tactics.”

It comes as el-Rufai defected last Monday to the SDP from the APC, laying the groundwork for his commissioners and other top appointees to leave the APC to the SDP. Some of those who have defected have allegedly been arrested, according to el-Rufai.

However, the SDP said it has received reliable information indicating that the APC is “concerned about the mounting momentum of our party. In response, the APC has decided to leverage its governmental control to fabricate criminal charges against our members.”

The party notes that “our sources reveal that the persecution will commence with one of our prominent leaders, Malam Nasir El-Rufai. The government is planning to file multiple charges against him in Abuja and Kaduna imminently.

“In preparation for this, we have also learnt that the Federal Government has instructed its agencies to prevent Malam Nasir El-Rufai from leaving the country,” the party alleges.

It says in Kaduna, the state government appears to be following the federal strategy of targeting opposition leaders.

The administration under Uba Sani, the party says, has reportedly “abducted one of our state leaders, Ja’afaru Sani, utilising the police unit Operation Fushin Kada.

“This unit, which is supposed to protect citizens and their freedoms, has been misused to oppress political opponents.

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“Ja’afaru Sani has been taken before a magistrate, where the state government went to procure an order to remand him in prison,” the party says in the statement.

It emphasises that “as was done to Bashir Saidu on December 31, 2024, Ja’afaru Sani was remanded by the magistrate for alleged money laundering.

“This is a matter that is not within the jurisdiction of either a state court or the Nigeria Police. When the gimmick was rolled out in December 2024, it unfolded with a Kaduna magistrate remanding Bashir Saidu in prison till 21 January 2025 on similar charges.

“It was the precursor to Bashir Saidu spending 50 days in prison. Such is the naked attempt to deploy the police and the judiciary to detain and imprison our leaders in Kaduna.”

The SDP says it is profoundly dismayed by these flagrant and undemocratic methods in a democracy that should be advancing after 25 years of sustained efforts.

Democratic norms, it argues, dictate that a sitting government should respond to the growing momentum of opposition through a contest of ideas and improved performance, not through cowardly persecution that is characteristic of tyrannical regimes.

The party says it is imperative to note that the APC occupies office today because its leaders were not targeted during their years in opposition.

It stresses that if former governments had resorted to imprisoning them and burdening them with multiple charges across various courts, the APC would not be in its current position.

The SDP therefore calls on all Nigerians to stand against these undemocratic practices and advocate for a mature democratic process where political disagreements are resolved through dialogue and performance, not through oppression and intimidation.

It emphasises that even in the USA, an advanced democratic nation, “President Donald Trump was severally and severely persecuted and vilified by the political establishment, but all that did not diminish him nor detract from his popularity. He weathered the storm and got re-elected to power.

“The ongoing victimisation of the SDP and its members by the authorities amounts to nothing more than enhancing and boosting the public rating of the party as the bastion of true hope for national retrieval and better lives for Nigerians, going forward,” the party concludes.

SDP warns Kaduna gov against persecuting El-Rufai

Politics

Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries

President Bola Tinubu has issued a strong directive to governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), mandating them to ensure free, fair, and rancour-free primaries while granting them full autonomy under the Electoral Act.

The directive followed a strategic meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where governors met with the President to discuss preparations for the party’s primaries ahead of the general elections.

Speaking after the meeting, Mohammed Bago said the governors visited the President to appreciate his support and received what he described as a “marching order” to successfully conduct the primaries.

According to him, Tinubu empowered the governors to adopt either direct primaries or consensus arrangements, provided such decisions align with the law and are accepted by all aspirants.

The meeting, which began around 5 p.m. at the President’s Conference Room, had in attendance key APC governors, including Hope Uzodimma, Inuwa Yahaya, Babagana Zulum, Hyacinth Alia, Biodun Oyebanji, Peter Mbah, and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, among others.

Discussions focused on conducting transparent APC primaries that would strengthen party unity and position it effectively for upcoming elections.

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Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has clarified that there will be no automatic tickets for the President or first-term governors, opening the contest to all qualified aspirants.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed that the party has adopted both direct and consensus primary options, with a clear condition that consensus must be agreed upon by all aspirants or it will revert to direct primaries.

He emphasised that APC nomination forms are open to all interested Nigerians, dismissing speculation that the process would favour specific candidates.

The party also released a revised timetable in line with the amended Electoral Act 2026 and guidelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sales of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms closes on May 4, 2026. Screening of aspirants is scheduled between May 6 and May 9, with results to be published on May 11.

Primary elections will hold across categories, culminating in the APC presidential primary on May 23, 2026, following an adjustment from the earlier date of May 15–16.

The party also confirmed that updated membership records have been transmitted to INEC, ensuring compliance with electoral requirements.

Tinubu’s directive is widely seen as a move to promote internal democracy, transparency, and party discipline, while preventing disputes that could weaken the APC ahead of the elections.

Political observers note that opening the race to all aspirants could intensify competition but also enhance credibility if managed effectively.

Tinubu Orders APC Governors to Conduct Free Primaries

Politics

Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles

Published

2 days ago

April 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has distributed 47 Sharon vehicles and 282 Boxer motorcycles to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano North Senatorial District as part of a large-scale empowerment programme aimed at strengthening party structure and grassroots mobilisation.

The distribution exercise, held in Kano State, also covered former party officials in the district. According to organisers, the initiative is designed to improve mobility for party activities, enhance coordination, and support beneficiaries in building sustainable livelihoods.

Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 282 Motorcycles

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Senate President, Muhammad Abdullahi, said the programme was targeted at promoting self-reliance and human development among recipients.

He praised Senator Barau for consistent interventions in the senatorial district, saying the empowerment items would help improve living standards and ease transportation challenges faced by party officials.

Abdullahi also urged beneficiaries not to sell the vehicles and motorcycles, but to use them productively to generate income and support their families.

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The media aide to Senator Barau, Shittu Madaki, confirmed the distribution, stating that the items included 47 cars and 282 motorcycles, with additional empowerment packages expected in subsequent phases.

He noted that the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen APC structures and deepen grassroots engagement in Kano North.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Salihu Takai, said the programme aligns with the grassroots implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s policy direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the empowerment drive is not an isolated intervention but part of a sustained development effort in the district, with more support programmes expected.

Beneficiaries included APC local government chairmen, secretaries, and former party officials, many of whom expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely support for party operations and grassroots mobilisation.

The programme has also generated public discussion, with supporters praising it as a boost for political organisation and economic empowerment, while critics argue that such initiatives reflect the broader role of political patronage in Nigeria’s democratic system.

Senator Barau Empowers APC Leaders in Kano with 47 Cars, 282 Motorcycles

Politics

Garo’s Appointment as Deputy Sparks Optimism for APC in Kano

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Murtala Sule Garo

Garo’s Appointment as Deputy Sparks Optimism for APC in Kano

A political pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Emerging Progressives Leaders’ Forum, has commended Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor, describing the move as strategic and capable of reshaping the party’s political fortunes in the state.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Hafiz Idris, the forum said the appointment reflects a clear understanding of Kano’s complex political dynamics and the need for experienced leadership to strengthen governance and party cohesion.

The group noted that Kano remains a critical political battleground in Nigeria, making leadership choices within the state highly consequential for both governance and future electoral outcomes.

According to the forum, Garo’s selection underscores a deliberate effort to stabilise the political structure and foster unity among stakeholders amid ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The forum highlighted Garo’s extensive public service record, pointing to his previous roles in Kano’s political landscape, including his experience in legislative and executive positions, as well as his reputation as a grassroots mobiliser with deep connections across communities.

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It described him as a loyal party stalwart whose contributions to the growth of the APC in Kano have been significant over the years.

“Hon. Murtala Sule Garo is a grassroots politician with vast experience and deep connection with the people. His choice will not only consolidate governance but also reposition the APC for greater strength and unity in Kano State,” the statement read.

The group further expressed confidence that the Yusuf-Garo partnership would promote inclusiveness, improve coordination within government, and enhance service delivery across the state.

It added that the appointment could help bridge internal divisions within the APC, encouraging reconciliation among party factions and strengthening the party’s structure at both the state and grassroots levels.

Observers say the endorsement reflects broader efforts by political actors within the APC to reposition the party in Kano following recent electoral shifts and internal challenges.

The forum also urged party members and supporters to rally behind the new deputy governor, stressing that unity, discipline, and collective commitment are essential to achieving the party’s long-term objectives.

With political activities gradually building ahead of the next election cycle, the group maintained that strategic alliances such as the Yusuf-Garo pairing could play a decisive role in shaping Kano’s political direction in the coming years.