Shehu Gabam, the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has shed light on his recent discussions with former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and associates of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The private meeting, held at the SDP national headquarters, ignited rumors regarding a potential political alliance in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
Gabam clarified that the focus of the meeting was on fostering a better Nigeria rather than on party politics. “There has been no formal announcement from El-Rufai or anyone involved about officially joining the SDP,” he stated. “Our aim is to connect with like-minded individuals who are committed to the nation’s future so we can collaborate to enhance Nigeria’s standards.”
He further mentioned that he has been welcoming prominent figures from various political parties to discuss strategies for national stability and to provide constructive advice to the government. “When the government encounters challenges, it impacts every Nigerian,” Gabam noted. “One of our roles is to ensure that we are proactive in preventing crises.”
The SDP chairman confirmed that discussions are ongoing, and once a consensus is reached, they will hold an official press conference to disclose their plans. “When we finalize our collaborative efforts, we will present it to the Nigerian public,” Gabam assured.
His comments follow remarks from Segun Showunmi, a prominent member of the PDP and ally of Atiku Abubakar, who labeled the meeting as “strategic.” Showunmi indicated that the gathering was convened to assess “the state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria” and to strategize for a more robust opposition ahead of the upcoming 2027 elections.
