COVER
2027 Presidency: el-Rufai Finally Dumps APC for SDP
By Joel Oladele, Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Ahead of 2027 General Elections, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing “irreconcilable differences” with the party’s current leadership.
The move, announced in a resignation letter submitted to his local ward in Kaduna State yesterday, signals turbulence within the APC, where El-Rufai’s past critiques of President Bola Tinubu’s administration have stoked tensions.
The news of El-Rufai’s defection has, however, prompted immediate reactions from both his former party and fellow political figures.
One of such is the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Policy, Daniel Bwala, who noted that the move “is simply an inordinate ambition that is destined to fail.”Also, the Kaduna State chapter of APC expressed confidence in its political fortitude, noting that the party is unperturbed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection as its focus is to deliver the state to both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027.
Meanwhile, speculation surrounding El-Rufai’s move became even more charged with comments from his son, Bashir El-Rufai, who hinted at the potential entry of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi into the SDP. Responding to a user on X (formerly Twitter), who argued that Obi’s inclusion could bolster the SDP’s chances against the APC, Bashir cryptically remarked, “He is coming.” This comment fueled discussions about shifting alliances and the potential for new coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections
El-Rufai’s defection comes after months of escalating criticism aimed at the APC’s leadership, marking the culmination of a political journey he now believes has become untenable within the party’s confines.
While giving his reasons for the development, El-rufai cited irreconcilable differences with the current leadership.
El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, expressed his disillusionment with the party’s direction in recent years.
“I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform.
“However, developments in the last two years have confirmed a troubling disregard for democratic principles and progressive values that I hold dear,” El-Rufai stressed.
He highlighted his role in securing electoral victories for the APC in 2015, 2019, and 2023, emphasizing his commitment to advancing human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment in Kaduna State during his tenure as governor.
“At this point in my political journey, I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” El-Rufai asserted.
He expressed gratitude to his mentors, colleagues, and supporters for their counsel and announced his decision to join the Social Democratic Party.
“As a member of the SDP, I am committed to fostering a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections,” El-Rufai declared.
He called upon all Nigerians concerned about the country’s future to join him in the SDP’s endeavour to elevate Nigeria as a beacon of pride for Africa and the Black Race.
El-Rufai concluded his announcement with a call for unity and progress, pledging to devote his efforts towards building a stronger democratic alternative in Nigeria.
Your Ambition Destined to Fail, Bwala Tells El-Rufai
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy, Daniel Bwala, yesterday, said former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s “inordinate” attempt to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 is destined to fail.
Bwala said this in reaction to El-Rufai’s defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after months of criticising the ruling APC.
“I read the news today that you resigned from APC to join SDP,” Mr Bwala wrote on X. “We would intellectually remind you that associating with sore losers to unseat the incumbent is not an ideology, neither is it progressivism; it is simply an inordinate ambition that is destined to fail.”
Going back on his earlier decision not to leave APC, the former governor lamented the failure of the party’s leadership to address members’ concerns.
He stated, “Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027 by the Grace of God.”
However, acknowledging El-Rufai’s right to defect to another party, Mr Bwala stressed that the former governor’s decision would be subject to further interrogation.
“Well, I have nothing against you because you exercised your constitutional right. The motive is what we would interrogate in the coming days and remind Nigerians that you are not a phenomenal that emerges like a clap of thunder out of a blue sky,” Mr Bwala insisted.
We’re Not Disturbed by El-Rufai’s Defection to SDP – Kaduna APC
The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said it will not lose sleep over the defection of former state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party.
Reacting to the defection, the Secretary of the Kaduna APC, Yahaya Baba-Pate, said the party remained unperturbed by the defection of the former governor.
Baba-Pate said the party was focused on delivering the state to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027.
Baba-Pate, who spoke to journalists in Kaduna on Yesterday, expressed confidence in the party’s growing strength in the state, citing the influx of high-profile politicians joining the party daily in the state.
He expressed confidence that the party’s fortunes will not be affected by El-Rufai’s departure.
He said, “We are unperturbed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection to another party. Our main focus in Kaduna is on how to deliver the state to both President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027.
“The APC in Kaduna State is growing day by day, judging from the calibre of politicians streaming into the party on a daily basis. So, we are not disturbed by anybody defecting to another party based on our governor’s inclusive governance in the state.
“We are not disturbed and we are not going to lose our sleep over El-rufai’s moves. The party in the state is growing more than before.”
Ex-Presidential Candidate Welcomes El-Rufai to SDP, Says it’s Time for Good Politics
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in 2023, Adewole Adebayo, has described former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai’s defection to the party as a welcome development, saying it is time for good politics.
Adebayo, while reacting to el-Rufai’s defection from All Progressives Congress (APC) on his X handle, described the former governor as ‘a hardworking and sagacious person’.
“On behalf of the teeming members of SDP and patriotic democrats who believe in Nigeria and her promise of inevitable greatness, I heartily welcome my dear brother, el-Rufai to our party.
“With the hardworking and sagacious Malam joining our ranks, an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity.
“Now is the time for us to put our collective shoulders behind the efforts to fulfill chapter 2 of the constitution and rescue Nigerians from bad governance and underdevelopment,” he said.
According to him, all genuine democrats and true nationalists who believe in order, decency and honesty are welcome to SDP.
Adebayo described SDP as a party governed by law, not men, constitution, not constipation of money or personal ambition.
“Together, following the law, the constitution and manifesto of our party, we can set a good example of clean and ethical politics to emulate and rally Nigeria to the forefront of the liberation of Africa and peoples of the Black World.
“Good politics begets good governance. Let no one sit on the fence any further. There is no time to waste. Join us on the March Again!” the former presidential candidate said.
El-Rufai’s Son Hints at Peter Obi Joining SDP
Son of former Kaduna State Governor, Bashir El-Rufai, has suggested that Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, might join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), following his father’s defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bashir dropped the hint while responding to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by a user, @Freedom42602077, who argued that the SDP would struggle to defeat the APC in the 2027 elections unless it aligns with Peter Obi.
“Bro to bro, if Peter Obi is not in that party, they can’t win the presidency. APC will have it again!” the user wrote.
Reacting, Bashir El-Rufai simply replied: “He is coming.”
The cryptic response has since fuelled speculations about ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with many questioning whether Obi is indeed considering a move to the SDP.
El-Rufai’s exit from the APC was reportedly part of a broader defection wave, with sources indicating that several other prominent figures within the party are considering a move to the SDP.
Among those rumoured to be in talks are; former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, Ekiti State former Governor, Kayode Fayemi, former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and several other ministers from the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral relations with Germany, with renewed focus on economic cooperation, investment promotion, energy partnerships, and the effective implementation of existing agreements.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, made this statement during a visit to the Ministry in Abuja on Monday by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Stefan Rössel.
The minister welcomed the ambassador and his delegation, expressing Nigeria’s appreciation for Germany’s longstanding partnership and support for the country’s economic reform programme, particularly in the early stages of implementation.
He recalled that when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Nigeria, the Federal Government was pursuing significant economic reforms that required support from international partners, including Germany, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.
The minister said Germany’s support has contributed to Nigeria’s progress in its reform efforts, adding that the country remains grateful for the cooperation and assistance it has received from its development partners.
He also acknowledged Germany’s role in facilitating high-level engagements between the two countries, particularly in trade, investment and energy cooperation, noting that discussions during the Nigerian President’s visit to Germany advanced talks on key energy agreements.
Senator Bagudu further commended Germany’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and international engagement, emphasising the importance of sustained partnerships to address evolving global economic and political challenges.
He noted that Nigeria and Germany had built a strong foundation for bilateral cooperation over the years, with significant opportunities to expand their partnership in areas that support economic growth and development.
The minister disclosed that discussions had covered cooperation involving €25 million and €300 million in export credit guarantees, identifying these as important areas for continued engagement as Nigeria seeks to expand investment opportunities and strengthen its capacity to utilise available resources effectively.
According to him, Nigeria’s reform efforts have created an opportunity to place greater emphasis on attracting investment, strengthening productive capacity, and translating international partnerships into tangible economic outcomes.
He assured the German ambassador that the ministry was prepared to work closely with the German government and its relevant institutions to deepen bilateral relations and broaden areas of mutual interest.
Earlier, Ambassador Rössel expressed appreciation for the warm reception he received, describing the relationship between Nigeria and Germany as strong and longstanding.
The ambassador, who arrived in Nigeria a few weeks ago, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to building on the partnership’s achievements and to exploring opportunities for further cooperation.
He acknowledged that both countries were operating in an increasingly complex global environment characterised by evolving strategic, political and economic challenges.
Despite these circumstances, Ambassador Rössel expressed confidence that the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Germany would provide a solid foundation for addressing emerging issues and sustaining mutually beneficial cooperation in the years ahead.
He also welcomed the ministry’s readiness to continue working with Germany, noting the importance of maintaining established partnerships while adapting to evolving circumstances.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, congratulated Ambassador Rössel on his appointment, welcomed him to Nigeria, and expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with him and with relevant German agencies.
She emphasised the importance of translating bilateral agreements and shared commitments into practical outcomes, noting that effective implementation remained critical to achieving the partnership’s objectives.
Dr Uzoka-Anite assured the ambassador that the ministry would continue to facilitate collaboration and support efforts to ensure joint initiatives progressed efficiently and delivered meaningful results.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, also welcomed the German delegation, describing Germany as a reliable partner whose technical expertise, knowledge exchange and experience had contributed to Nigeria’s development.
She said the ministry expects the ambassador’s tenure to create further opportunities to strengthen cooperation and to advance the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The courtesy visit reaffirmed Nigeria and Germany’s shared commitment to sustaining bilateral engagement, deepening economic cooperation, and exploring opportunities for expanded investment and development collaboration.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils.The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
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