Senator Ahmed Wadada, representing Nasarawa West, has announced his impending departure from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and attributed the move to the destabilizing influence of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El‑Rufai.

Wadada, who joined the SDP following his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, cited growing internal tensions within the party. He accused El‑Rufai of orchestrating a “backdoor takeover,” undermining democratic norms and disregarding the voices of long-standing SDP members.

The SDP Integrity Group—an internal watchdog—had previously rejected claims that El‑Rufai would assume a leadership role, calling such moves “vexatious and ill‑advised” and warning against any attempt to hijack the party’s structure. According to Wadada, the fallout from these events has made it impossible for principled politicians like himself to continue within the party.

Political analysts have noted that while El‑Rufai’s entry into the SDP in March was intended to boost the party’s profile ahead of the 2027 elections, the backlash from youth and grassroots factions suggests the move may have backfired. El‑Rufai’s move prompted mass defections of key members, including local leaders and former candidates, who returned to the APC .

Wadada’s departure marks another fracture point within the SDP, highlighting the growing struggle between pragmatist politicians and those advocating for a more grassroots-driven, democratic structure. His exit may further question El‑Rufai’s ability to unify the party around a common vision.