The crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) took a new turn on Monday as protesters dismantled the main gate of the National Secretariat, located in Wuse 2, Abuja.
Naijaonpoint understands that the demonstration erupted while the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) convened at the headquarters.
This crisis within the SDP is becoming increasingly serious amid preparations for the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of this report, the reasons behind the protest remain unclear.
According to Daily Post, journalists present outside the party’s secretariat were attacked by security personnel assigned to the office.
A source informed the media that the turmoil is linked to the proposed imposition of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on the party’s leadership.
It is noteworthy that El-Rufai recently switched allegiance to the SDP.
In an interview on Monday with Arise Television, the former member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) pledged to obstruct President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
El-Rufai threw his weight behind the SDP as the most viable political platform for the opposition coalition aiming to wrest power from the APC in the 2027 general elections.
He expressed confidence in the SDP’s potential to unify various opposition forces under a single umbrella.
He said, “I strongly believe that the SDP is the best platform for the coalition.
“It has a history, it has a legacy, it has sentimental value, and everything about it is almost perfect—the name, the logo, everything. I’m advocating for that amongst my colleagues.”
Although El-Rufai has joined the SDP, he was quick to clarify that the final decision on the coalition’s platform would be made jointly by all leaders involved.
He said, “It will be a collective decision… I will do whatever I can to ensure that we unite under one platform.
“I am part of the leadership, but I am not there representing SDP. I am there as an individual with some political weight, no matter how small, in my state or in the northwest.”
The former FCT minister also revealed that coalition leaders had adopted a dual-track strategy to avoid sabotage or interference from the ruling party. This includes either aligning with an existing political party like the SDP or registering a new political platform altogether.