The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed indifference toward the recent political alignment between former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Last week, El-Rufai, a key APC figure, held a closed-door meeting with SDP leaders and some allies of Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While the agenda of the meeting was kept confidential, it has been widely interpreted as part of a broader effort by opposition leaders to form an alliance aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
The meeting, which took place at the SDP national secretariat, also saw the participation of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha, and Otunba Segun Showunmi, a former spokesperson for Atiku.
Showunmi revealed the details of the meeting on his Facebook page.
Some have speculated that this political gathering may be linked to the League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by former Kano State governor Ibrahim Shekarau, and the group’s efforts to garner support from southern political elites ahead of the 2027 elections.
On January 5, LND convener Dr. Umar Ardo announced plans to transform the group into a political party, citing the need for a unified national political platform.
However, SDP National Chairman Shehu Gabam has denied reports of any formal alliance with Atiku or El-Rufai, emphasizing that the party’s primary focus is to strengthen its structures and offer credible alternatives to the Nigerian electorate.
In response to the opposition’s political maneuvers, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, downplayed the significance of the alliance.
Arodiogbu likened the gathering to a fleeting moment of opposition unity that would ultimately unravel, stating, “As it is in the Bible, surely they shall gather and they shall scatter. We are not worried that they are gathering because they will definitely scatter.”
He also criticized El-Rufai’s credibility, accusing him of undermining Christian communities and becoming politically isolated after the 2023 election. Arodiogbu suggested that El-Rufai’s desperation for attention was being amplified by the media.
The APC leader further dismissed the opposition’s potential campaigns, stating that their proposed reforms, such as reintroducing fuel subsidies, would be unpopular with Nigerians.
He pointed to the recent reduction in fuel prices and the benefits of President Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the potential for Nigeria to become a fuel exporter.
“We are already bouncing back to the days of glory,” Arodiogbu declared. “The people are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Meanwhile, APC Deputy National Organising Secretary Nze Chidi Duru emphasized that El-Rufai’s right to associate freely with others should not be questioned.
He underscored that the party would only respond to El-Rufai’s future political decisions once he formally clarifies his position.
“We are in a democracy, and part of our constitution guarantees the liberty to hold and express views and associate freely,” Duru said. “Unless a decision is made, there is no need for speculation.
When a defection occurs, the party will respond appropriately. Our focus remains on delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.”
