The lawmaker representing Nasarawa West in the National Assembly, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, has revealed his intention to resign from the Social Democratic Party, citing fundamental political differences with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Addressing journalists in Keffi on Sunday, Wadada expressed discomfort with El-Rufai’s recent defection to the SDP, describing it as ideologically unsettling.
“Even though Malam El-Rufai is my elder brother, I don’t think I can stay with him in the SDP because he is not a principled politician,” Wadada declared.
The senator questioned El-Rufai’s abrupt political shift, recalling the ex-governor’s vocal support for power rotation to the South and his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress presidential primaries.
He suggested El-Rufai’s defection was driven by personal disappointment rather than ideological conviction.
“What changed in President Tinubu between the time El-Rufai supported him and now that he has defected to the SDP?” he asked pointedly. The lawmaker criticized the move as self-serving and inconsistent with the values of public service.
In contrast, Wadada commended former APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, for maintaining his commitment to party principles, even after his preferred candidate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, lost the presidential primary. “That’s the kind of politics I respect—principled, not opportunistic,” he said. According to Wadada, attributes such as loyalty, integrity, and consistency are essential for credible leadership and public confidence.
On broader national concerns, Wadada acknowledged the economic strain caused by the removal of fuel subsidies but expressed confidence in future benefits. He highlighted improvements attributed to increased federal allocations, noting that the effects are already tangible in Nasarawa State.
“In Nasarawa State, the impact of the oil subsidy funds is visible everywhere—even to the most gullible and the blind,” he said.
