Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and officially joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The ex-governor, in a statement on Monday, accused the APC of derailing from its founding principles, lamenting that the party has been hijacked by forces unwilling to implement progressive policies.
El-Rufai disclosed that he had expressed concerns privately and publicly about the APC’s trajectory over the last two years, but the party’s leadership showed no willingness to address the issues.
El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023, said he could no longer align with the APC’s current leadership style, as it had weakened internal democracy and sidelined key stakeholders.
“Developments in the last two years show that those who currently control and run the APC refuse to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the state. At this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish.”
He further stated that his eight-year tenure in Kaduna was dedicated to progressive policies that advanced human development, but his contributions meant little in an APC that had abandoned its core principles.
El-Rufai submitted his resignation letter to his APC ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area, officially cutting ties with the ruling party.
Tensions with Tinubu’s Government and Fallout with Kaduna Successor
El-Rufai’s exit from APC follows months of strained relations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
- Despite vigorously campaigning for Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, El-Rufai fell out with the presidency when his ministerial nomination was rejected by the Senate in August 2023 due to alleged security concerns raised by the Department of State Services (DSS).
- Since then, he has been absent from major APC meetings, including the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and APC national caucus gatherings.
- He was also spotted meeting with SDP chieftains, fueling defection rumors, which he initially dismissed before confirming his move on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Additionally, El-Rufai’s relationship with his successor, Governor Uba Sani, has deteriorated. The Kaduna State House of Assembly is currently probing his administration for alleged corruption, a claim El-Rufai has strongly denied.
El-Rufai’s Future in the SDP
Declaring the SDP as his new political home, El-Rufai called on his supporters and other Nigerians to join him in building a formidable opposition against the APC. He emphasized the need for a unified democratic platform to challenge the ruling party in future elections.
With his defection, El-Rufai joins a growing list of political heavyweights realigning ahead of the next election cycle. His move is expected to shake up the political landscape, especially in the northern region, where he remains a key political influencer.
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