Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate, has revealed his intention to leave the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The decision comes after growing disagreements with some recent members of the party, especially former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Keffi, Senator Wadada made it clear that although he respects El-Rufai on a personal level, he cannot remain in the same political party with someone whose values he no longer agrees with.
“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.
According to Wadada, El-Rufai’s shift in political stance raises serious questions about his consistency.
He recalled how El-Rufai was a firm supporter of power rotation to the South and worked hard to make President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to his eventual victory.
Wadada asked what had changed that led El-Rufai to suddenly join the SDP, especially after failing to get a ministerial role in Tinubu’s government.
“What changed in President Tinubu between the time El-Rufai supported him and now that he has defected to the SDP?” he asked.
The senator described El-Rufai’s recent actions as driven by personal interest, rather than national or party values. He said such behavior goes against the principles he believes politicians should follow.
Wadada also pointed to Senator Abdullahi Adamu as an example of political discipline and loyalty. He mentioned how Adamu supported Senator Ahmad Lawan during the APC presidential primaries and remained in the party even after Lawan didn’t win.
“That’s the kind of politics I respect—principled, not opportunistic,” Wadada noted.
On broader national issues, the senator commented on the economic situation following the removal of fuel subsidies. He said that although the policy has created hardship, it has also given state governments more money to fund projects and improve services.
He praised Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for using the subsidy savings wisely.
“In Nasarawa State, the impact of the oil subsidy funds is visible everywhere—even to the most gullible and the blind,” he said.
