A group of former commissioners, political appointees, and grassroots allies of former Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have broken their silence on their decision to part ways with him. They stated that they were political partners, not political property, and therefore retained the right to determine their own political future. This statement was made under the aegis of Kaduna De-Initiative. The group emphasized that their decision to support El-Rufai was based on a shared political project, not on surrendering their identities, structures, and followers.
The position was signed by notable individuals, including former deputy speaker of the Kaduna state House of Assembly, Hon. Mukthar Isa Hazo, and former Kaduna state SDP chairman, Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maikano. Other members of the group include former commissioners Ja’afaru Sani, Dr. Shehu Usman Makarfi, Bashir Saidu, and Senator Abdu Kwari. These individuals highlighted their significant contributions to the political structures that supported El-Rufai, alongside numerous grassroots politicians across Kaduna state.
The group argued that it was unfair to describe their departure as betrayal, adding that political relationships are not permanent and that alliances can change when circumstances, interests, and objectives change. They emphasized that they, like El-Rufai, are adults capable of making their own political decisions. The same freedom that allowed them to support El-Rufai in the past should, according to them, allow them to make different choices today.
According to the group, the political relationship became increasingly strained after El-Rufai’s 2019 re-election. They claimed that former allies felt increasingly marginalized while members of the former governor’s family were perceived to be exercising growing influence in government affairs. This development, they said, contributed to their decision to part ways with El-Rufai.
The group’s spokesperson, Bashir Saidu, was quoted as asking, “Are we not adults who can take our own political decisions?” This question underscored their assertion of autonomy in their political choices. The group’s statement reflects a broader narrative of political realignments in Nigeria, where alliances are often fluid and subject to change.
The Kaduna De-Initiative’s statement has sparked reactions from various quarters of the Nigerian political landscape. While some have welcomed the group’s assertion of political independence, others have criticized their decision to part ways with El-Rufai. The development is being closely watched, given the influence El-Rufai wields in Kaduna state and Nigerian politics.
The implications of this development for future political alliances in Kaduna state and beyond remain to be seen. The group’s decision to assert its autonomy and challenge the notion of political property has significant implications for political relationships and party loyalty in Nigeria. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the Kaduna De-Initiative’s statement is likely to resonate with many who are reevaluating their political affiliations.
Key points
- The group, under Kaduna De-Initiative, emphasized that their decision to support El-Rufai was based on a shared political project, not on surrendering their identities, structures, and followers.
- The group argued that it was unfair to describe their departure as betrayal, adding that political relationships are not permanent and that alliances can change when circumstances, interests, and objectives change.
- The development is being closely watched, given the influence El-Rufai wields in Kaduna state and Nigerian politics.
