Former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai’s defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the 2027 elections is not a shift in ideology but a reconfiguration of elite power within Nigeria’s ruling class. From a Marxist perspective, this move is neither surprising nor represents a genuine political alternative for the working masses. Rather, it reflects the internal contradictions within the bourgeois ruling class, as various factions struggle for dominance in the upcoming elections.
The Bourgeois Nature of Party Politics
El-Rufai’s political journey—from the PDP in the early 2000s to the APC, and now the SDP—exemplifies the fluidity of Nigerian elite politics, where party allegiance is driven by personal ambition and access to state resources rather than any real ideological commitment. The SDP, despite its historical association with the June 12 struggle, is not a socialist or working-class party but another bourgeois platform controlled by elite interests.
Marxists argue that bourgeois democracy is a mere competition among ruling-class factions, where parties differ in rhetoric but serve the same capitalist interests. Whether APC, PDP, or SDP, these parties remain committed to neoliberal policies—privatization, deregulation, and austerity—that serve the elite while keeping the masses impoverished.
Why Is El-Rufai Moving? The Crisis of the Nigerian Bourgeoisie
El-Rufai’s defection signals deeper fractures within the ruling elite as the 2027 election approaches. Several factors may be driving this move:
Factional Struggles within the APC: The Tinubu-led government, facing economic hardship and internal discontent, has alienated some of its former power brokers. El-Rufai, once a key ally, may see himself as sidelined and is positioning for a comeback under a new platform.
The Search for a ‘Third Force’: As public dissatisfaction with both APC and PDP grows, elite politicians are rebranding through SDP and similar parties, hoping to capture the anger of the masses while maintaining the same capitalist structures.
Ethno-Religious Calculations: El-Rufai’s defection may be tied to the northern political elite’s maneuvering to retain power or negotiate its position ahead of 2027. With Tinubu being a southern president, some factions may feel the need to consolidate a northern-led alternative.
2027: A Bourgeois Election with No Alternative for the Masses
The 2027 election will not be a battle for the emancipation of the working class but another elite contest over state power. No matter which faction wins—APC, PDP, or SDP—the core policies of economic liberalization and class exploitation will remain unchanged.
For the working class, the lesson is clear: elections under bourgeois rule will not bring true change. While El-Rufai and others switch parties, workers, farmers, and students must focus on building an independent political alternative—one rooted in working-class power, socialist policies, and mass mobilization against elite exploitation.
El-Rufai’s move to the SDP is not a betrayal of any ideology because he and his class never had one beyond self-interest. It is simply another realignment of the ruling class, ensuring that power stays within their hands regardless of which party wins. The 2027 election will once again prove that without a revolutionary movement from below, political change in Nigeria will remain an illusion.
Olayemi Olufemi Ifatimehin, ✍️ from Gombe
