Representative of Nasarawa West in the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, has declared his intention to leave the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing irreconcilable disagreements with some of the party’s new members, especially former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Wadada stated in a Sunday interview with reporters in Keffi that even though El-Rufai is his older brother, he cannot share a political platform with someone whose values he no longer values.
“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 said.
Recalling his ardent advocacy for power rotation to the South and his pivotal involvement in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ascent to the position of APC presidential candidate and ultimate victor, the senator criticised El-Rufai’s political realignment.
Wadada questioned what had changed between then and now to warrant El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP, especially following his failure to secure a ministerial appointment.
“What changed in President Tinubu between the time El-Rufai supported him and now that he has defected to the SDP?” he asked.
According to Wadada, the action was self-serving and went against the principles he feels a public worker should follow.
Citing Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s backing of Senator Ahmad Lawan during the APC primaries and his steadfast devotion to the APC even after Lawan’s defeat, he proceeded to hail Adamu as an example of constancy and honesty.
He declared, “I respect that kind of politics—principled, not opportunistic.”
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Regarding domestic issues, Senator Wadada voiced optimism while acknowledging the present financial difficulties brought on by the elimination of fuel subsidies and pointing out that state governments now have greater funding for development.
He commended Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for effectively using subsidy savings to improve infrastructure and welfare in the state.
“In Nasarawa State, the impact of the oil subsidy funds is visible everywhere—even to the most gullible and the blind,” he added.
