Chaos Erupts at SDP Headquarters as Protesters Tear Down Secretariat Gate

A political crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) escalated on Monday as angry protesters forcefully pulled down the main gate of the party’s National Secretariat in Wuse 2, Abuja, disrupting an ongoing National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.

According to Naija News, the protest broke out as the party’s leadership convened at the headquarters, though the exact reasons behind the unrest were not immediately disclosed.

Reports indicate that the demonstration may be linked to growing dissatisfaction over the alleged plan to install former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as a key figure within the party’s national leadership. Journalists covering the scene were reportedly attacked by security personnel stationed at the party office.

El-Rufai, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, recently defected to the SDP and has become a vocal figure within the emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a televised interview on Arise News, El-Rufai confirmed his support for the SDP as the most suitable platform to unite opposition forces against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“I believe the SDP is the ideal platform—it carries history, legacy, and identity. It’s almost perfect,” El-Rufai said, while stressing that final decisions on coalition structures would be made collectively.

El-Rufai emphasized that he did not represent the SDP per se but was participating as an influential political figure, especially in the Northwest region.

He also disclosed that the coalition was pursuing a dual strategy—either strengthening an existing political party like the SDP or registering a new political vehicle altogether—to avoid potential sabotage from the ruling party.

The protest and ongoing party turmoil raise serious concerns about internal cohesion as the SDP prepares to play a pivotal role in the 2027 opposition movement. Meanwhile, the party leadership has not issued an official statement regarding the protest or El-Rufai’s rising profile within the party.