- Olu Agunloye, the national secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is under fire for alleged fraudulent Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station contract awarded in 2003
- El-Rufai’s supporters allegedly led protests demanding Agunloye’s removal due to ongoing investigations
- Agunloye filed a police petition amid growing pressure and accusations from El-Rufai’s loyalists
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) faced an internal crisis following protests demanding the removal of its National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, just days after the defection of former Kaduna Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to the party.
A group of protesters, reportedly supporters of El-Rufai, gathered at the SDP national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, March 12. The demonstrators called for Agunloye's immediate resignation, citing ongoing corruption charges against him.
El-Rufai loyalists allegedly want work Agunloye out of SDP
Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, was currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations related to fraudulent contract awards and corruption.
The document, titled “Construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on Build, Operate, Transfer Basis,” was said to be improperly awarded by Agunloye for the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited in 2003, without the necessary financial approvals or budgetary provisions.
Additionally, Agunloye and his associate, Leno Adesanya (who remains at large), were accused of forging documents to secure the contract, which allegedly led to the Federal Government entering into a deal with the company. These actions reportedly violate sections of the Penal Code, with potential legal consequences.
Agunloye files petition over alleged resignation plot
Undisclosed sources at the SDP national secretariat confirmed that the protesters were primarily aligned with El-Rufai, pushing for Agunloye's ouster to make way for someone loyal to the former governor.
During the protest, it was reported that Agunloye was swiftly escorted to safety. National Chairman Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, who had not yet arrived at the office at the time, reportedly arrived at 2:30 pm and immediately convened an emergency meeting with party officials to address the situation.
In response to the protests, Agunloye reportedly filed a petition with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, concerning an alleged plot to force his resignation. Sources also indicated that members of the SDP loyal to El-Rufai were actively working to secure Agunloye's removal from office.
“I petitioned the IG about a person who forged letterhead paper and is threatening me to resign,” Agunloye added.
2027:Osinbajo, Obi, Aregbesola, other politicians who could join El-Rufai at SDP
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that figures like Yemi Osinbajo, Peter Obi may join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), following Nasir El-Rufai’s defection.
El-Rufai officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) calling on his political allies and supporters to follow him to the SDP for a better Nigeria.