By Adenike Lawal
In a dramatic political shift, former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling party and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai announced his departure via his verified Facebook account on Monday, confirming that he had submitted his resignation letter to his local ward in Kaduna after extensive consultations with political allies and supporters.
Reflecting on his role in the 2013 formation of APC, El-Rufai expressed disappointment, stating that the party had strayed from its founding values.
He accused the current leadership of neglecting internal democracy and reducing party members to mere spectators.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that those in control of the APC have no desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation,” he lamented.
Despite playing a key role in APC’s victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, El-Rufai declared he could no longer remain in a party that has “castrated its organs” and disregarded its members.
Now with the SDP, the former governor is mobilizing opposition forces for a major showdown in the 2027 elections, calling on other opposition leaders to unite against the APC.
El-Rufai’s defection marks a significant realignment in Nigerian politics, signaling a potential reshaping of alliances ahead of the next general election.
