Kaduna State’s immediate past governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing dissatisfaction with the party’s current leadership direction.
El-Rufai announced his departure in a statement on Monday, expressing his disillusionment with the APC’s deviation from its foundational progressive ideals.
“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. I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” he declared.
The former governor disclosed that he had repeatedly voiced concerns, both privately and publicly, about the party’s declining trajectory over the past two years. However, he lamented that the APC’s leadership showed no willingness to address the issues.
“Developments in the last two years on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the state,” he said.
El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023, highlighted his administration’s commitment to progressive governance but noted that his contributions have been disregarded under the current APC leadership.
“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development. These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable,” he added.
As part of his defection process, El-Rufai confirmed that he had formally submitted his resignation letter to his APC ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area.
A New Political Path
The former governor described the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as his new political platform, calling on his supporters and concerned Nigerians to join him in the movement. He stressed the need for a strong democratic alternative to challenge the APC in future elections.
His decision follows recent consultations with prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Vice Presidential candidate Tunde Bakare, and former President Muhammadu Buhari.
El-Rufai’s defection also comes amid reports of tensions between him and the presidency, with the former governor notably absent from the APC National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last month.
His departure marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, with many observers speculating on its potential impact ahead of the 2027 general elections.
