EL-RUFAI DUMPS APC, JOINS SDP IN A BOLD POLITICAL MOVE
In a dramatic turn of events, former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing deep dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s direction.
A SHARP BREAK FROM THE APC
In a statement titled “Onwards to the Future,” El-Rufai made it clear that the APC has strayed far from its founding principles, leading him to seek a new political home.
“As a founding member of the APC, I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC,” he recalled. However, he lamented that recent events within the party have made it impossible for him to continue, saying:
“Developments in the last two years confirm that those who currently control and run the APC have no desire to acknowledge, let alone address, the unhealthy state of the party.”
El-Rufai further expressed disappointment in the erosion of democratic values within the APC, stating that internal party structures had been castrated, leaving members sidelined and disillusioned.
A NEW POLITICAL PATH WITH SDP
After submitting his resignation letter on March 10, 2025, El-Rufai wasted no time in announcing his next move. He revealed that following consultations with his mentors, colleagues, and loyalists, he had decided to adopt the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as his new political platform.
However, he is not stopping there. El-Rufai is calling on opposition leaders and Nigerians across the country to rally behind the SDP, forming a unified force against the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us in forming a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and by-elections between now and 2027, by the grace of God.”
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NIGERIAN POLITICS
El-Rufai’s defection is one of the most significant political realignments in recent years. As a former governor, federal minister, and key strategist in APC’s electoral victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, his exit signals growing cracks within the ruling party.
With a strong political base and a reputation for governance and reform, El-Rufai’s move to the SDP could reshape the opposition landscape and inject new momentum into Nigeria’s 2027 political showdown.
One thing is clear—this is not just about leaving APC. El-Rufai is gearing up for a bigger fight, and the battle for Nigeria’s future just got more intense.
