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El-Rufai Denies Betraying Atiku, Calls Obi, Others To Join SDP

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20 hours ago

Mar 15, 2025.

Nasir El-Rufai denies betraying Atiku, saying their relationship was professional.
He criticizes Tinubu’s administration, claiming it has failed expectations.
El-Rufai urges opposition leaders to unite under the Social Democratic Party.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has dismissed allegations that he betrayed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting their relationship was based on professional work rather than political allegiance.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in an interview with BBC Hausa that gained traction on Saturday, El-Rufai, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), urged opposition leaders, including Atiku, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to unite under the SDP.

Expressing disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, El-Rufai said he had initially believed Tinubu would replicate his achievements in Lagos at the national level but was now disillusioned.

“What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in has failed. We saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges. We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought he could lead well at the national level. However, he has failed,” he said.

On accusations of betrayal, El-Rufai stated, “I never betrayed Atiku Abubakar. We didn’t meet in politics; we met at work. If I see someone underperforming, I will tell them. I told Buhari, and I even took Buhari to court over the naira redesign policy.”

El-Rufai Denies Betraying Atiku

Reflecting on past political conflicts, he noted that during the feud between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku, those working with Obasanjo at the time believed he was right.

“When Obasanjo and Atiku were having issues, we looked at the situation and concluded that Obasanjo was right. It wasn’t a regional issue. Now, Atiku and I are working together—if I had betrayed him, why would that be the case?”

El-Rufai reiterated his call for unity among opposition leaders, saying, “I urge all opposition figures—Atiku, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola—to join the SDP. That is what I want and pray for.”