“SDP Is a Branch of the APC” – Buba Galadima

Alhaji Buba Galadima, a prominent figure in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has dismissed the recent defections to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), describing the party as nothing more than a branch of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Galadima claimed the SDP operates as an extension of the APC and is being used to further the ruling party’s agenda.

Galadima stated that the movement of politicians from NNPP to the SDP should not come as a surprise, arguing that many of those joining the SDP were originally from the APC. He challenged the narrative that the SDP is becoming a viable opposition force, noting the lack of defections from other major parties. “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 call SDP. Nothing more. How many people from other parties have moved to the SDP? That is the question the people should ask,” Galadima said. He added that the situation reflects what he described as a strategy in Lagos politics aimed at weakening opposition forces.

His comments came in response to a recent call by former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who defected to the SDP earlier this month and is urging opposition leaders to rally under the party’s banner ahead of the 2027 general elections. El-Rufai has been actively courting leaders from across opposition lines in an effort to form a unified front capable of challenging APC dominance in the next presidential race.