Former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has formally announced his resignation from the ruling APC, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The declaration was made via a statement on his verified Facebook page on Monday, confirming his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai, a pivotal figure in the APC’s formation and electoral successes, revealed that he had submitted his resignation letter to his ward office in Kaduna State. He emphasized that the decision followed extensive consultations with mentors, colleagues, and loyalists, underscoring a deliberate and principled stance.
Reflecting on his tenure with the APC, El-Rufai acknowledged the party’s early ideals,
“As a founding member, I cherish the memories of collaborating with compatriots to engineer the merger that birthed the APC in 2013. My hope was for the party’s values to align with mine until my eventual retirement from politics.” he stated
However, he lamented the erosion of internal democracy under current leadership, accusing the APC of disregarding grievances and undermining its institutional structures.
“Recent developments unequivocally demonstrate that those steering the APC have no intention of addressing the party’s systemic dysfunctions,” he asserted,
El-rufai criticized what he described as the marginalization of members and the stifling of democratic processes. El-Rufai, who played a critical role in the APC’s victories in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections, stated he could no longer affiliate with a party that had “castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt.”
Outlining his vision with the SDP, El-Rufai pledged to foster unity among opposition parties to challenge the APC in forthcoming elections, including the 2027 general polls.
“As a member of the SDP, I aim to engage and persuade opposition leaders and parties to unite under a cohesive democratic platform,” he said, emphasizing a commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s political trajectory.
He concluded with a call to action, urging supporters and stakeholders invested in Nigeria’s future to join the SDP in its mission to “position Nigeria as a beacon of pride for Africans and the Black Race.”
Nasir El-rufai
El-Rufai’s defection signals a potential realignment within Nigeria’s opposition space, with implications for the APC’s dominance ahead of future electoral contests.
