Alhaji Buba Galadima, a prominent figure in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has dismissed the recent surge of defections to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), claiming the latter is nothing more than an extension of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Galadima accused the SDP of functioning as a satellite organization for the APC, pointing to the high-profile defections from the APC to the SDP as evidence of this link.
Buba Galadima, who is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in the NNPP, expressed little surprise at the movement of members from his party to the SDP. According to him, these defections are entirely consistent with the nature of the SDP, which he claims has always been a mere offshoot of the APC. Galadima’s statement came in response to Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s recent efforts to encourage opposition leaders to join the SDP, hoping to challenge the APC’s dominance in the 2027 presidential race.
During the interview, Galadima stated, “The SDP that you talked about in your introduction is a branch of the APC. It was those APC people that moved to what you now called SDP. Nothing more. How many people from other parties have moved to the SDP? That is the question the people should ask. So, it is not out of place, you’re in Lagos. This is the character of Lagos to decimate opposition.”
Galadima’s comments reflect growing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape as various opposition parties, including the NNPP, navigate defections, allegiances, and power struggles ahead of the 2027 elections.
The accusations from Galadima come in the wake of Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s controversial defection from the APC to the SDP earlier in March 2025. El-Rufai, who was a prominent member of the APC, has called for opposition leaders and party members to join forces under the SDP banner to mount a serious challenge to the APC in the upcoming 2027 presidential elections.
In his call to opposition figures, El-Rufai suggested that the SDP could offer a more viable platform for opposition politics, promising a more united and effective challenge to the ruling party. By aligning with the SDP, El-Rufai believes he can rally enough political weight to put the APC under pressure, providing Nigerians with an alternative political vision.
However, Galadima is unconvinced by El-Rufai’s efforts. He argues that the defection of prominent APC members to the SDP is nothing more than an attempt by the ruling party to consolidate its influence over the opposition. According to Galadima, El-Rufai’s move to the SDP and his call for opposition unity are little more than a strategic move to extend the APC’s grip on Nigeria’s political landscape.
Defections have long been a common feature of Nigeria’s political scene, particularly among the country’s two dominant parties—the APC and the PDP. Politicians often switch allegiances in pursuit of political advantage, strategic positioning, or personal gain. As such, the movement of key figures from one party to another is often seen as a reflection of the ever-changing nature of Nigeria’s political elite.
In this context, Galadima’s remarks on the SDP are rooted in a long-standing suspicion of party-switching and opportunism. The defection of APC members to the SDP is seen by many as another chapter in the fluid and unpredictable dynamics of Nigerian politics.
While the APC has repeatedly defended its ability to bring together politicians from across the country and across party lines, the growing defections to the SDP suggest that not everyone sees the APC as the best vehicle for achieving their political goals. This tension underscores the challenge that the ruling party faces in maintaining unity and cohesion within its ranks, even as it prepares for the 2027 election cycle.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has long existed as one of Nigeria’s smaller political parties. Despite its historical roots and occasional political relevance, the party has struggled to challenge the dominance of larger parties such as the APC and PDP. However, the recent influx of politicians, including former APC stalwarts, has raised questions about the SDP’s potential to become a formidable force in the upcoming elections.
El-Rufai’s defection and his subsequent call for opposition unity under the SDP banner indicate a strategic effort to revive and reposition the party as a viable alternative to the APC. El-Rufai, who has a significant political following, is hoping to rally opposition leaders and members to join his new cause, with the goal of challenging the APC’s hold on power.
However, critics like Galadima argue that the SDP’s newfound prominence is a calculated attempt by the APC to neutralize potential rivals within the opposition. If the SDP continues to attract defections from APC members, some political observers believe that it could end up serving the interests of the ruling party rather than offering a genuine challenge to its dominance.
As Nigeria heads into the 2027 presidential election cycle, the future of the opposition remains uncertain. On one hand, there is a growing desire among Nigerians for a strong and united opposition that can challenge the APC and provide a credible alternative. On the other hand, the defection of key figures to the SDP—an apparent ally of the ruling party—has made it increasingly difficult for the opposition to present a united front.
Alhaji Buba Galadima’s remarks highlight the deepening divisions within the opposition camp. His criticism of the SDP as an APC “branch” reflects a broader concern about the state of opposition politics in Nigeria, where party-switching and allegiances often obscure the true will of the people.
Despite these challenges, Galadima and other opposition leaders remain determined to offer an alternative to the ruling party. The upcoming election cycle will likely test the strength and unity of Nigeria’s opposition parties, and whether they can overcome internal divisions and external pressures to mount a serious challenge to the APC.
