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Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has made it clear that Nigeria has always been the object of his political allegiance rather than any one person or political party.

El-Rufai stated that he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in order to help establish a legitimate political alternative while in Kano, when he met with Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, and SDP leaders.

He asserted that the SDP provides a new platform free from the dysfunction and “godfatherism” that have dogged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Twelve years ago, we formed the APC and unseated an incumbent president, but today’s circumstances demand a different strategy. We are rallying disillusioned Nigerians under the SDP, which stands for fairness and internal democracy,” he stated.

El-Rufai insisted that he had no more goals to prove and rejected claims that his recent political actions were motivated by personal grudges.

“I’m 65 years old. I could retire comfortably, but Nigeria is facing an existential crisis. My actions are about saving the country, not personal advancement,” he said.

In response to the question of leadership, the former governor—who had earlier argued for a transfer of power to the South—emphasized that competent leadership was more important than regional concerns in order to meet Nigeria’s pressing difficulties.

“Our problems are too deep for us to be fixated on where the next president comes from. What matters now is competence, vision, and the capacity to fix Nigeria,” he asserted.

El-Rufa’i stated that the SDP is more concerned with mobilizing the grassroots than courting prominent politicians in response to recent defections to the APC.

“A governor has just one vote. It is the people, not politicians, who win elections,” he noted.

Additionally, he denied assertions that the SDP’s expansion was restricted to particular areas, stating that efforts were being made to form coalitions across the country.

“We are building quietly across the South as well. Real nation-building happens at the grassroots, not in media spectacles,” he said.

El-Rufai defended his criticism of the APC by pointing out that he had always voiced his disapproval of mistakes made during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, especially during the contentious naira redesign policy.

“When policies hurt Nigerians, I raised my voice — even against a government led by my party. I have never placed loyalty to individuals above loyalty to Nigeria,” he said.

El-Rufai encouraged young Nigerians to join the campaign for a better future and urged them not to give up.

“Nigeria gave me opportunities, even though I was orphaned at the age of eight. We cannot abandon it to corrupt politicians. It’s time to rebuild a country where every child can dream and achieve,” he added.

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