Political Earthshake: El-Rufai's Strategic Move from APC to SDP
The immediate-past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufa’i, has resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Did you know? You can comment on this post! Just scroll down
El-Rufai said in a statement released on Monday that he was disappointed with the way the APC was run and that the party's leadership had deviated from the progressive principles of its founders.
I've decided that, at this stage in my political career, I need to look for a different political platform in order to pursue the progressive ideals that I hold dear. I have made the decision to become a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)
— March 10, 2025, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai)
He revealed that he had voiced his worries about the party's direction during the previous two years, both in private and in public, but that the present leadership was unwilling to address the problems.
I've decided that, at this stage in my political career, I need to look for a different political platform in order to pursue the progressive ideals that I hold dear. I have made the decision to become a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)
— March 10, 2025, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai)
He revealed that he had voiced his worries about the party's direction during the previous two years, both in private and in public, but that the present leadership was unwilling to address the problems.
The former governor claimed that the people in charge of the APC have made progress in the past two years in acknowledging and addressing the state's unhealthy status.
"At this stage of my political career, I've decided that I need to look for another political platform in order to pursue the progressive ideals that I hold dear.
During my eight years in Kaduna State, I worked hard to put progressive policies into place that would promote human development. These records don't really matter because the present APC has disregarded its members and castrated its organs in the last two years, which I find unacceptable.
"At this stage of my political career, I've decided that I need to look for another political platform in order to pursue the progressive ideals that I hold dear.
During my eight years in Kaduna State, I worked hard to put progressive policies into place that would promote human development. These records don't really matter because the present APC has disregarded its members and castrated its organs in the last two years, which I find unacceptable.
According to El-Rufai, he delivered his letter of resignation to his ward in the North-West state's Kaduna North Local Government Area.
He emphasized the necessity for a united democratic platform to oppose the APC in future elections and urged on his fans and other concerned Nigerians to join him in the SDP, describing it as the platform for his future political actions.
El-Rufai's action came after he met with former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Vice Presidential candidate Tunde Bakare, among others.
Several run-ins with the presidency also preceded his defection. The former governor did not attend last month's meeting of the APC's National Executive Committee (NEC) or national caucus.
He emphasized the necessity for a united democratic platform to oppose the APC in future elections and urged on his fans and other concerned Nigerians to join him in the SDP, describing it as the platform for his future political actions.
El-Rufai's action came after he met with former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Vice Presidential candidate Tunde Bakare, among others.
Several run-ins with the presidency also preceded his defection. The former governor did not attend last month's meeting of the APC's National Executive Committee (NEC) or national caucus.
El-Rufai: Tinubu’s Ally-Turned-Outsider
In accordance with the unwritten rule of power rotation between the southern and northern areas of Nigeria, El-Rufai was among the northern powerbrokers who demanded that a southern candidate be awarded the APC presidential ticket for the general elections in 2023. President Muhammadu Buhari of the North-West geographical zone served for eight years prior to this.
El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna from May 2015 until May 2023, was outspoken in his selection of Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos, as the party's candidate in the most recent general elections.
Together with his comrades from the north, the former governor of Kaduna supported Tinubu against two other northern titans who were also running for office: former governor of Jigawa, Mohammed Badaru, and then-senator Ahmad Lawan.
Later, in the February 2023 presidential election, Tinubu secured the APC ticket and won the presidency of Nigeria.
Three months after taking office, Tinubu named El-Rufai as one of his ministers in Nigeria, where compensation politics are practically a given.
However, during the ministerial screening process, El-Rufai was rejected by the Senate after falling out with influential members of the present government. His rejection was due in part to security concerns raised by the Department of State Services, according to the upper legislative house.
El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna from May 2015 until May 2023, was outspoken in his selection of Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos, as the party's candidate in the most recent general elections.
Together with his comrades from the north, the former governor of Kaduna supported Tinubu against two other northern titans who were also running for office: former governor of Jigawa, Mohammed Badaru, and then-senator Ahmad Lawan.
Later, in the February 2023 presidential election, Tinubu secured the APC ticket and won the presidency of Nigeria.
Three months after taking office, Tinubu named El-Rufai as one of his ministers in Nigeria, where compensation politics are practically a given.
However, during the ministerial screening process, El-Rufai was rejected by the Senate after falling out with influential members of the present government. His rejection was due in part to security concerns raised by the Department of State Services, according to the upper legislative house.
El-Rufai has not been sighted at an APC chieftain gathering since the August 2023 incident.
Additionally, the former governor has not been spotted near the president, for whom he ran a fervent campaign in the most recent election, or in the vicinity of Aso Villa, the seat of government.
On the other hand, prior to the final admission on Monday, March 10, 2025, El-Rufai was seen with SDP chieftains spreading rumors of defection, which he first denied.
In Kaduna, El-Rufai's relationship with his successor, Sani Uba, has also soured as a result of the state assembly looking into his eight-year administration for suspected corruption, which the former governor has denied.
On the other hand, prior to the final admission on Monday, March 10, 2025, El-Rufai was seen with SDP chieftains spreading rumors of defection, which he first denied.
In Kaduna, El-Rufai's relationship with his successor, Sani Uba, has also soured as a result of the state assembly looking into his eight-year administration for suspected corruption, which the former governor has denied.
Article Posted 1 Second ago. You can post your own articles and it will be published for free.
No Registration is required! But we review before publishing! Click here to get started
