From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru el Rufai, Monday, offered insights into the ongoing conversation among political groups and interests opposed to the present administration of power in Nigeria.
In a chat with the media in Kano, Rufai explained that the present conversation is intended to bring together opposition political groups, and not to bring together opposition political parties.
“We are not trying to bring the political parties under one roof. We dont want merger of political parties. Ours is not a merger of political parties.” Rufai clarified.
“There are the members of the PDP that have been pushed out of their party. There are equally members of the APC that have been sidelined. And there are smaller political parties that contested the last election but did badly. And our objective is to get these different groups to agree to come under an existing political party” he held.
He explained that based on a number of assessments, they realised that the SDP was the only platform that has the potential to recreate a major political party that would offer Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027.
“Most people want something different. Most people want a new brand of politics, a new style of governance and a new set of faces. And I believe that the SDP can be the party to give that alternative to Nigerians” he said.
He explained that the majority of those involved in the conversation to come together are from across Nigeria and from different political parties contrary to the impression that conversation was northern in nature and sympathy.
Rufai restated that he was not mobilising Nigerians against the present administration but was simply driving a conversation about a better future for Nigerians.
“It is about the present economic and social conditions that we face.. Are you happy with the current situation? If you are not happy, then let’s sit down and work together.” he said
He expressed fear that the situation in Nigeria today was very scary and threatening to the future existence of the country, while enjoining Nigerians to join the present attempt to work together to bring about a new government in 2027
Rufai clarified his meeting with the former President Mohammed Buhari in Kaduna, saying he visited Buhari in his home to notify him of his intention to exit from the APC but did not go to get his consent to exit APC as was reported by some sections of the media.