Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has said his political moves have always been guided by loyalty to Nigeria, not to individuals or political parties.

Speaking during a visit to Kano, where he met with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Social Democratic Party (SDP) leaders, El-Rufai stated that he joined the SDP to help build a credible political alternative free from the godfatherism and dysfunction he said had ruined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Twelve years ago, we formed the APC and defeated an incumbent president, but today’s realities require a different approach. We are uniting disaffected Nigerians under the SDP, which offers a platform built on fairness and internal democracy,” he said.

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El-Rufai dismissed claims that he was motivated by personal frustration after being sidelined, stressing that he had nothing left to prove politically.

“I’m 65. I could retire peacefully, but Nigeria faces an existential crisis. This is about the country’s survival, not personal gain,” he said.

The former governor, who once championed a southern power shift, said Nigeria’s current challenges demanded leadership based on competence rather than geography.

“Our problems are too severe to care where the next president comes from. We need someone with vision and capacity to fix Nigeria,” he said.

On recent defections to the ruling APC, El-Rufai said the SDP remained focused on grassroots mobilisation rather than courting political bigwigs.

“A governor has one vote. Elections are won by the people, not politicians,” he stated.

He dismissed perceptions that the SDP movement was regional, saying coalition efforts were ongoing nationwide.

“We’re quietly building across the South as well. Nation-building is grassroots work, not media shows,” he noted.

Defending his criticism of the APC, El-Rufai said: “When things began to go wrong under Buhari, I spoke up. When the naira redesign policy hurt Nigerians, I challenged it, even against an APC-led government. I have never been loyal to individuals over the nation.”

He urged young Nigerians not to give up hope but to join the movement for a better future.

“Nigeria gave me everything despite being an orphan at eight. We must not abandon it to corrupt politicians. It’s time to build a country where every child can aspire and succeed,” he said.