Politics
El-Rufai Vows To Stop APC, Defects To SDP
Former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has vowed that he would work to unite opposition leaders against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
Mallam El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state from 2015 to 2023, has been critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly since the Senate refused to confirm him as minister. He said Nigerians should not believe the narrative that the National Assembly rejected him as a ministerial nominee, noting that Tinubu did not want him in his cabinet.
In a statement on his verified Facebook page announcing his resignation from the APC on Monday, Mallam el-Rufai claimed that the ruling party had derailed from its values.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party”, he wrote.
Mallam el-Rufai said he had repeatedly raised concerns about the party’s leadership but saw no effort to address them.
“Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027 by the Grace of God.
“I, therefore, call on all our supporters and other persons concerned about our country’s future to join us in the SDP in the journey towards making Nigeria flourish as a beacon of pride for Africans and the Black Race”, he said.
Meanwhile, mixed reactions have since trailed his defection. While former APC National vice chairman (North West), Dr. Salihu Lukman, described el-Rufai’s defection as hasty, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, federal character commissioner from Oyo State and former Commissioner for Education, said the move was a political suicide.
In Kaduna, political observers noted that his defection may have been hastened by the return of his arch political enemies to the APC. The former governor had been locked in political battles with the likes of Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, Shehu Sani and many others who were then card-carrying members of the APC. Hunkuyi, after a political fight with el-Rufai left APC for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) while Shehu Sani left APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, less than 24 hours after Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna Central, openly declared support for Governor Uba Sani’s reelection bid, el-Rufai officially announced his defection.
Sources said the return of Shehu Sani and other prominent politicians including Hunkuyi, Senator Danjuma Laah, former Governor Ramalan Yero and others to the APC recently actually unsettled el-Rufai in the party.
Reacting via telephone with The Tide source, Senator Sani said: “el-Rufai leaving APC for SDP wouldn’t make any difference for someone with no political relevance again. But one thing is sure, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani will be voted again.”
The National Coordinator of the Disciples of Jagaban (DOJ), Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, also boasted that the defection of the former governor was not a threat to APC’s victory in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, Alawuje said: “It is evident that this move is nothing more than an empty threat that holds no real political weight. Thousands of politicians, more experienced and influential than el-Rufai, have already made their way back to the APC, recognising that the party remains the strongest force in Nigeria’s political arena.
“There is no political force strong enough to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. Those who think otherwise are merely testing their political microphone at a low volume. The so-called coalition of expired politicians seeking relevance will not make any difference. Their efforts resemble a shameful dance to a drumbeat that no one will hear. If they insist on making noise, they will be the ones to dance to their own embarrassment.
“The 2027 election is a done deal. It will expose and silence selfish politicians who prioritize personal ambitions over national unity. Ironically, many of these opposition figures were once governors, ministers, or vice presidents, yet they failed to uplift the masses they now claim to represent”.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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