We Won’t Abandon PDP For You!” – Lamido Fires Back At El-Rufai’s SDP Offer

El-Rufai, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to SDP, made the appeal during an interview with BBC Hausa, calling on opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola to follow suit. Though he did not name Lamido directly, the invitation was extended to key opposition politicians.

In response, Lamido, speaking in a separate BBC Hausa interview on Sunday, rejected the offer, calling it an insult. He emphasized that the PDP, which he helped build, was instrumental in shaping El-Rufai’s political career.

“The PDP we built is the same party that gave birth to El-Rufai. You alone cannot make us abandon it,” Lamido stated.

He also criticized El-Rufai’s past comments, recalling that the former Kaduna governor once dismissed Nigerian politicians as lacking maturity, yet he is now inviting seasoned leaders to join SDP.

“He once claimed there were no adults in Nigerian politics, but now he’s asking us to join him in SDP,” Lamido said.

The former Jigawa governor further questioned El-Rufai’s reasons for leaving APC, highlighting contradictions in his statements.

“He claimed he informed President Buhari about his decision to leave APC, yet now he portrays himself as a key figure in Nigerian politics,” he added.

Reaffirming his loyalty to PDP, Lamido stressed that if he had ever considered leaving, it would have been in 2014 when APC was formed.

“If I wanted to leave PDP, I would have done so in 2014,” he declared.

He also took a swipe at El-Rufai’s leadership style, arguing that governance requires patience and selflessness rather than anger or personal ambition.

“Leadership demands patience, vision, and a commitment to national peace. Patriotism should come first, not personal resentment,” Lamido advised.