By Mohammed Bello Doka
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is facing internal turmoil as its National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, petitions the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over an alleged plot to force him out of office. Agunloye alleges that certain party members have forged official documents and are pressuring him to resign, a move he strongly resists.
Sources indicate that the push for Agunloye’s removal is linked to loyalists of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, who recently joined the SDP. El-Rufai’s entrance into the party has reportedly triggered a power struggle, as he is believed to be consolidating influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Confirming the petition on Tuesday, Agunloye told TheCable, “I petitioned the IG about a person who forged letterhead paper and is threatening me to resign.”
The SDP, once a rising alternative to Nigeria’s dominant parties, has been working to position itself as a formidable force ahead of the 2027 elections. With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambitions and the PDP’s expected resurgence, political parties are already laying the groundwork for the next electoral battle. El-Rufai’s entry is seen as a strategic move to realign opposition forces, but Agunloye’s resistance suggests deeper internal divisions that could threaten the party’s unity.
As tensions escalate, the battle for control within the SDP could define its role in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, determining whether it emerges as a credible alternative or crumbles under internal conflicts.