Following the reactions that trailed the visit of former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to that National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the National Chairman of the party, Shehu Gabam has said that it has become clear that the Kaduna ex-governor is a threat to some persons.
Recall that the media was awash following the visit of El-Rufai to the SDP office, which some political analysts and politicians said that the visit is connected to the 2027 general election.
El-Rufai is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a supporter of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential election has since fallen apart with the president, since then he has started making some moves which were speculated to be connected to unseating the president in 2027.
While speaking at Politics on Sunday on TVC, anchored by Femi Akande, the SDP National Chairman, Gabam noted that El-Rufai visited his office to discuss national issues and also review 2024.
He noted that with the interpretations given to the former Kaduna State Governor’s visit to this officer, it has become clear that he is a threat to some persons.
He also explained that as the National Chairman of the party, he has a responsibility to re-strengthen the party have some elected members at National and state assemblies, and win more elections.
“In a political environment, individuals are entitled to their interpretations, for me as the Chairman of the party, it is a visitation to me to discuss a lot of national issues, including reviewing the 2024.
“Politically, the very day you win an election, you have to start planning for another election, and the very day you lose an election, you have to start planning to win the election that you have lost.
“For us in the SDP as privileged opposition party to win some seats at the National Assembly and the State Assemblies, of course, we have to do everything humanly possible to re-strengthen our party, to ensure that the weaknesses being exhibited in the APC and PDP do not exist in SDP, our responsibility is to create a dynamic and friendly environment for everyone to come and aspire whatever position they want to aspire.
“I don’t have anything personal for the president of Nigeria, but I have the responsibility to pilot the affairs of my party and the responsibility to win election just as the way APC is still planning to win election, so it is a competition, it is legitimate.
“It is very clear to me now that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is a threat to certain people. I never thought it was as strong as this, it is evidently very clear. The way they magnify very casual issues shows that it is a big threat, and if he is a big threat and this important, I thought that they would have utilized his potential, his skills, ability to strengthen the system rather than to create gaps and now they are worried about the gaps that they created, we did not create that gap, SDP wasn’t part of that.
“So, the way they are taking the issue is that there is an earthquake somewhere. From what happened, the analysis, the pressing of the red button, certainly he is a major force they are worried about. But I think that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is in the proper position to explain that.
Speaking generally on politics, Gabam lamented that there are silent moves to intimidate those who criticize the government. He said currently, parts of his security have been withdrawn by the Inspector General of the Police (IGP).
He said despite speculation that the IGP ordered the withdrawal of mobile police officers from some dignitaries, some persons have their police officers intact while his own were withdrawn.
“Part of my security was withdrawn, legitimately they were given to me by the Inspector General of Police, there is no letter from me till now on why it was withdrawn, the speculation was that the IGP gave orders that all Mobile Police be withdrawn, but as I am talking to you, all the people that I know, their mobile police officers are still with them, only my own was withdrawn, maybe the IGP is not aware that such things are happening,” he added.
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