El-Rufai Resigns from APC, Joins SDP
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In a statement issued on Monday, El-Rufai expressed his dissatisfaction with the APC’s current leadership, accusing the party of abandoning the progressive ideals of its founding members.
El-Rufai revealed that he had raised concerns about the party’s direction both privately and publicly over the past two years but found no willingness among the leadership to address the issues.
He stated, “Developments in the last two years have shown that those who control the APC have ignored the unhealthy state of the party. At this point in my political journey, I must seek another platform to pursue the progressive values I cherish.”
The former governor, who served Kaduna State from May 2015 to May 2023, emphasized his commitment to progressive policies during his tenure.
However, he lamented that his efforts now hold little value in the current APC, which he accused of sidelining its members and undermining its internal structures. “The APC has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable,” he said.
El-Rufai confirmed that he had submitted his resignation letter to his ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area.
He described the SDP as the platform for his future political engagements and called on his supporters and like-minded Nigerians to join him in the party.
He stressed the need for a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in future elections.
The former governor’s defection follows a series of meetings with prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former vice presidential candidate Tunde Bakare, and former President Muhammadu Buhari.
It also comes after several confrontations with the presidency and his absence from recent APC national caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.
El-Rufai played a significant role in the APC’s 2023 presidential primaries, advocating for the party’s ticket to be zoned to a southern candidate after President Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
He supported Bola Tinubu, who eventually won the APC ticket and the presidential election. However, El-Rufai’s relationship with the current administration soured after his nomination as a minister was rejected by the Senate in August 2023, citing security concerns raised by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Since then, El-Rufai has distanced himself from APC activities and has not been seen at the Aso Villa or in the company of President Tinubu. His recent appearances with SDP chieftains had fueled speculation about his defection, which he initially dismissed before confirming on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Additionally, El-Rufai’s relationship with his successor, Governor Sani Uba, has deteriorated, with the Kaduna State Assembly probing his administration for alleged corruption. El-Rufai has denied these allegations, maintaining his commitment to transparency and accountability during his tenure.
