By Milcah Tanimu

Former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has once again engaged in discussions with leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), sparking speculations about his political future.

Recent interactions between El-Rufai and SDP officials, including a meeting at Senator Abubakar Gada’s residence in Abuja, have fueled rumors of his potential defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP. The gathering, which took place on Sunday night, saw El-Rufai alongside SDP chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and other party leaders.

Notably, the meeting included figures from various political parties, such as Senator Teslim Folarin, the APC gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State in the 2023 elections, and Senator Nazif Suleiman, a prominent member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from Bauchi State.

This rendezvous follows a recent event hosted by El-Rufai at his Abuja residence, where attendees included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, APC chieftain Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Shehu Musa Gabam, and others, for a Ramadan iftar (breaking of fast). Additionally, El-Rufai paid a visit to Gabam at the SDP secretariat, further fueling speculation about his political intentions.

While pictures from these gatherings have stirred discussions on social media, with many suggesting El-Rufai’s potential presidential bid in 2027, his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, has dismissed these claims. Adekeye asserted that the interactions were merely social in nature, emphasizing that personal relationships can exist independently of political affiliations.

As rumors swirl and political alignments remain fluid, El-Rufai’s engagements continue to capture attention and prompt speculation about his future political trajectory.