Former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa has dismissed reports suggesting he is joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in late 2024.

Speculation about his defection intensified after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the SDP earlier this week.

Bafarawa, a former presidential candidate of the Democratic People's Party (DPP), described the reports as false and misleading.

According to The Vanguard, Bafarawa denied granting any media interview or engaging in consultations with any group regarding a move to the SDP.

He assured that he and his allies would work to identify the source of the rumors.

“We are in Ramadan, a month of fasting, gratitude to Allah for His blessings, and a time for the wealthy to support the less privileged in society. It is a season for sharing food, not spreading rumors,” he said.

According to The Punch, an aide to Bafarawa, who spoke anonymously, also denied the defection claims.

“We are not aware of the story; we also saw it on social media. I can confirm to you that we are trying to identify the person behind the post. His Excellency is not in the country at the moment; he is traveling for Umrah.”

After leaving the PDP, Bafarawa had stated that he was stepping away from active politics to focus on developmental initiatives for northern Nigeria.

NBA