The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has defended his party’s recent engagement with former Kaduna State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Gabam insisted that the meeting was a strategic move aimed at repositioning the SDP as a formidable opposition force in Nigeria.

Gabam made this known during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday. The interview was closely monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.

Addressing the public reaction to his meeting with El-Rufai, Gabam questioned the uproar, suggesting that critics were unnecessarily amplifying the situation.

“Why the dust about Malam Nasir El-Rufai? They say he is not significant, he’s nothing. Why the worry about El-Rufai? Why the worry about Segun Sowunmi? If they are important, why won’t the government give them the relevant roles they need to play to enhance the efficiency of the government?” Gabam queried.

He explained that the meeting was part of the SDP’s broader strategy to assess Nigeria’s socio-political landscape in 2024 and strengthen its position as an opposition party.

“The meeting was to strategically review the situation of the country in 2024 as a party. We are an opposition party with elected members in the parliament, state assemblies, and in the local governments. So, we owe it a duty as a party to look at areas where things are not going right and open the space of the party and reach out to a lot of people,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the APC’s rise to power, Gabam highlighted that the current move mirrors the strategy employed by the APC when it successfully unseated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

“It’s the same things APC did when PDP was misbehaving; they re-organised, they regrouped, they relaunched a merger that led to the defeat of the PDP. So, we are not doing anything wrong. I don’t know why the brouhaha about it as if this is the first time Nasir El-Rufai visited or Segun Sowunmi who happens to be a friend. We’ve been in this struggle for a better Nigeria, not to undermine Nigeria,” he stated.

Gabam didn’t hold back in his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, expressing doubt over its ability to deliver on the president’s promises. He argued that the ministers lack the competence required to implement Tinubu’s vision effectively.

He also decried the current state of the economy, noting that Nigerians are enduring unprecedented economic hardship.

“No president that was elected to serve four years and has issues in two years can survive. Jonathan’s opposition started within two years – he lost election,” Gabam warned, suggesting that history could repeat itself if the administration fails to address pressing national challenges.

The Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has appointed 130 special assistants.

The announcement was made on Wednesday through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, where Ihunwo stated that the appointments take immediate effect.

The appointees include Helen Nyekwere, Josephine Wogu, Daisy Worgu, Wagwu Hilda, Ogbonna Stella, Goodness Ogbonna, and Grace Amadi, among others.

“I have appointed the following persons as my Special Assistants,” Ihunwo stated. “I congratulate them and call on them to serve diligently in the interest of Obio-Akpor Local Government. Their appointments take immediate effect.”

This marks the second time Ihunwo has made such a significant number of appointments. In July 2024, during his tenure as the caretaker committee chairman of the LGA, he appointed 100 special assistants.

Ihunwo, a close ally of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, recently drew attention for removing the name of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, from the administrative block of the council secretariat.

The action is viewed as part of the ongoing political rivalry between Wike and Fubara, who have been locked in a power tussle in the state.

The chairman emphasized that the new appointees must prioritize service to the people, reiterating his commitment to the development of Obio-Akpor.

Two Catholic nuns, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, were abducted by gunmen along Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident occurred late Tuesday evening as the nuns were returning from a vocational association meeting held in Ogboji community, Orumba North LGA.

The Secretary-General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Maria Ikeotuonye, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Wednesday, calling for prayers for their safe release.

“With sadness, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of our two sisters, Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, yesterday evening, Tuesday, 7 January, 2025,” the statement read.

Ikeotuonye further revealed that Sister Nwankwo is the Principal of Archbishop Charles Harvey Memorial Model Secondary School in Ufuma, while Sister Okoli teaches at Immaculata Girls Model Secondary School in Nnewi.

“We commend our Sisters to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary for their speedy release from the hands of their kidnappers,” she added. “We solicit your fervent prayers and supplications to God that they may be released as soon as possible and come back to us safe and sound.”

The Anambra State Police Command also confirmed the incident. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said a joint operation has been launched to rescue the victims.

“Police-led joint operation is already ongoing for the possible rescue of two Catholic nuns allegedly kidnapped along Ufuma Road, Orumba North Local Government,” Ikenga said.

He noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, alongside the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, had visited the scene to conduct a spot assessment.

“The command is already working with some clues for the possible arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victims. Further details shall be communicated, please,” Ikenga added.