Daniel Bwala, former spokesperson for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, has stirred controversy with claims of a purported plan by Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) alongside former Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
In a post on social media, Bwala alleged that Obi was considering leaving the LP due to ongoing tensions between the party leadership and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). He suggested that the NLC’s move to assert control over the LP had prompted Obi to seek refuge in the SDP, potentially aligning with El-Rufai.
Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, joined the LP in May 2023 after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party. However, Bwala’s claims hint at a potential shift in allegiance.
Responding to Bwala’s assertions, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Chief Spokesman for the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign, dismissed the allegations as baseless. Tanko labeled Bwala’s remarks as mere attempts to remain relevant in political discourse, emphasizing that there were no plans for Obi to leave the LP.
Meanwhile, recent developments have fueled speculation about El-Rufai’s political intentions. A viral video showed him at the national secretariat of the SDP, sparking rumors of a potential switch in party affiliation.
El-Rufai’s public appearance comes after the Senate’s rejection of his ministerial nomination in 2023, citing adverse security reports. The Senate also declined to confirm another ministerial nominee from Taraba State, Senator Abubakar Danladi, for similar reasons.
As political dynamics continue to evolve, Bwala’s allegations add fuel to the speculation surrounding potential realignments within Nigeria’s political landscape. However, both Obi’s camp and El-Rufai’s associates maintain that there are no concrete plans for party defections at this time.