A group of protesters aligned with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, stormed the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja on Wednesday, calling for the immediate removal of the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye.
The demonstrators, wielding placards with bold inscriptions, accused Agunloye of dragging the party’s reputation through the mud due to his ongoing fraud case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They demanded that he either clear his name or step aside to prevent further damage to the SDP’s image.
Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, is currently on trial over allegations of fraudulent contract awards and official corruption. Among the charges leveled against him by the EFCC is the alleged forgery of a document that led to the controversial contract between the Nigerian government and Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited for the construction of the 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station.
Protesters Demand Accountability
The protesters carried placards with messages such as:
- “Clear your name or resign: Dr. Agunloye, face your EFCC cases and stop embarrassing SDP!”
- “Don’t destroy SDP! Agunloye’s EFCC case is a stain on our party. Step down now!”
- “Save SDP’s legacy! We demand change for a better future!”
Sources indicate that the demonstrators were supporters of Nasir El-Rufai, who recently defected to the SDP from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). El-Rufai’s move came after he publicly criticized the APC’s leadership, accusing them of straying from the party’s founding principles.
El-Rufai’s Political Shift
The former FCT minister officially resigned from the APC on Monday, citing concerns over internal democracy and the party’s failure to uphold progressive values.
“On my part, I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the capricious trajectory of the party. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” El-Rufai stated.
He urged his supporters to join him in the SDP, positioning the party as a new home for those disillusioned with the APC’s leadership.
Agunloye Fights Back
Meanwhile, Agunloye has not taken the pressure lightly. He recently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging a coordinated attempt to force him out of office.
“I petitioned the IG about a person who forged letterhead paper and is threatening me to resign,” Agunloye confirmed in a statement.
His fate within the SDP remains uncertain as El-Rufai’s influence within the party continues to grow.
Legal Troubles Loom Over Agunloye
Agunloye’s troubles stem from the controversial Mambilla Power Project contract awarded in 2003. The deal, which was reportedly signed without proper approvals or financial backing, has since escalated into a multi-billion-dollar arbitration case.
Sunrise Power is currently seeking $2.3 billion in damages from Nigeria at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris, accusing the government of breaching contract terms.
In a recent legal setback, Agunloye’s request to travel abroad for medical treatment was rejected by a Federal High Court in Abuja, further complicating his legal battles.
As tensions rise within the SDP, it remains to be seen whether Agunloye will bow to pressure or fight to retain his position. For now, the party faces a critical test as internal divisions deepen over leadership and credibility concerns.
