‘Wrong political calculation’ — Kaduna APC women leader faults el-Rufai’s defection to SDP

Maryam Suleiman, the All Progressives Congress (APC) women’s leader in Kaduna, has berated Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of the state, over his defection from the party.

On March 10, el-Rufai announced his exit from the APC and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The former governor had asked his supporters “and other persons concerned about our country’s future” to join him in the SDP.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the women leader described el-Rufai’s defection as a “wrong political calculation”.

She criticised the ex-governor’s administration for several mistakes, particularly the demolition of markets and the dismissal of primary school teachers.

“People really complained about those policies, and victims were shortchanged,” the women leader said.

“Some of those who were affected have lost their lives. The sources of livelihood of some have crumbled.”

Suleiman added that the SDP would be insignificant since it is a “toddler” in politics and largely unfamiliar, affirming her loyalty to the APC without plans to leave.

‘PARDON MY CHILDISH OUTBURST’

The APC women leader also apologised to Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna, for her past remarks, describing them as a “childish outburst”.

On March 30, 2024, Sani said he inherited a debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities from the administration of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of the state.

He said his government was unable to pay workers’ salaries due to the inherited debt, adding that the debt burden was eating deep into the state’s coffers.

Reacting in a video, the APC women leader, who is an ally of el-Rufai, criticised the governor over his remarks, urging him to desist from blaming his predecessor.

She was subsequently suspended from the party.

However, the APC women’s leader admitted she was unaware of the underlying issues when criticising Sani.

She noted that upon recognising her error, she sincerely apologised to the governor.

’I told him that I acted out of childishness, and I didn’t really understand the issues at stake,” she said.

“Everyone knows that I am a diligent party person. I have realised my mistakes, and I promise to make amends.”