Hussaini Kafi in Kano
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Monday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), of drifting from its original vision as he finally announced his resignation from the party – APC.
El-Rufai raised concerns over the party’s leadership and direction.
“I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform, but I recognize that the party has since strayed and left me stuck in the vision of its well-meaning founding fathers and mothers,” he said on his X account.
In a statement the ex-Kaduna state governor released and shared with news men, he confirmed his decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
This disclosure has rested the speculations over his plots and joining forces with the opposition against President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, expressed disappointment over the party’s trajectory in the last two years, stating that those currently in control have failed to address pressing internal issues. Despite his long-standing loyalty and contributions to the party’s electoral successes in 2015, 2019, and 2023, he lamented that the APC has “castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt.”
El-Rufai, who served two terms as Kaduna State governor, highlighted his administration’s achievements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and investment attraction. However, he stressed that his values no longer align with those of the APC, prompting his departure.
Shift to SDP and Opposition Coalition
Having concluded consultations with his mentors, colleagues, and loyalists, El-Rufai has now embraced the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as his new political home. He emphasized his commitment to building a formidable opposition coalition to challenge the APC in upcoming elections.
“As a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027,” he declared.
El-Rufai called on his supporters and all concerned Nigerians to join the SDP in pursuit of a progressive and prosperous future for the country.
His defection marks a significant realignment within Nigeria’s political sphere, as opposition forces prepare for the next electoral cycle. The move also raises questions about potential defections of other key APC figures dissatisfied with the party’s leadership.
As the political landscape heats up, all eyes will be on El-Rufai and the SDP to see how they navigate their new role as a major opposition force in Nigeria.
