Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing concerns over the ruling party’s direction.
In a statement released on Monday, El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, expressed disappointment over the party’s trajectory in the last two years, stating that it no longer aligns with his values.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party,” he said.
El-Rufai noted that despite his contributions to the APC’s success in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections, he could no longer tolerate what he described as the party’s disregard for internal democracy and its members.
“I recognize that the party has since strayed and left me stuck in the vision of its well-meaning founding fathers and mothers,” he added.
Announcing his resignation from the APC, effective immediately, El-Rufai revealed that he had consulted with his political associates before deciding to adopt the SDP as his new platform.
“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 stated.
El-Rufai called on his supporters and Nigerians concerned about the country’s future to join the SDP, positioning the party as an alternative to the APC.
His defection adds to the growing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political observers keen on how his move will shape opposition politics in Nigeria.
