PDP gave birth to you - Lamido blasts El-Rufai.
Sule Lamido, the Former Jigawa State Governor has declined Nasir El-Rufai’s request to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP
During an interview with BBC Hausa, Nasir El-Rufai, who joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after leaving the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), has appealed to the opposition leader.
However, Lamido’s name wasn't mentioned by the former governor of Kaduna State. In the interview, he has invited prominent figures which includes Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join the SDP.
Lamido in response to El-Rufai’s call in a separate BBC Hausa interview on Sunday, March 16, 2025, likened the ex governor's invite as an insult, saying that the political foundation which El-Rufai enjoys today, was laid by PDP.
In his statement; “The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP,”
He also stated that, “He once said that there are no adults in Nigeria in politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”
Lamido also went further to question El-Rufai’s motive for dumping the APC for the SDP and his leadership style.
“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole,” the PDP chieftain said.
While expressing his loyalty to PDP, he also said that the opposition party hasn't done anything to warrant his defection.
“If I was going to leave the PDP, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed,” he said.
He also encouraged El-Rufai to place patriotism above anger towards others.
“What should be done is to put patriotism first, instead of showing anger towards someone.” he added.
He finally concluded by saying; "The PDP has been working to rebuild its strength after losing the 2015 presidential election."
