Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dumped the ruling party and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The prominent politician, cited a growing misalignment between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his decision.
El-Rufai disclosed this in a press statement released on Monday, March 10, 2025, even as he expressed his disappointment with the APC’s leadership, accusing the party of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members.
The former Governor noted that he had raised concerns about the party’s trajectory both privately and publicly over the past two years but found no willingness among the current leadership to address the issues.
The statement reads, “Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party,” El-Rufai stated.
“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.”
El-Rufai, who played a key role in the formation of the APC in 2013, recalled his efforts in negotiating the merger of political parties that led to the creation of the ruling party. He also highlighted his contributions to the APC’s electoral successes in 2015, 2019, and 2023, as well as his tenure as Kaduna State governor, during which he implemented policies focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.
“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development,” he said. “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.”
El-Rufai’s resignation from the APC, effective immediately, was submitted to his ward in Kaduna State. He also announced his decision to join the SDP, describing it as the platform for his future political engagements.
The former Governor called on his supporters and other concerned Nigerians to join him in the SDP, stressing the need for a unified democratic platform to challenge the ruling party in 2027.
An ally of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has confirmed the defection move of the former governor of Kaduna State amid a viral social media letter.
In a letter making the rounds on social media, El-Rufai purportedly announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a party which he is a founding member.
Parts of the letter entitled: “Onwards to the future”, reads: “As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC will align up to the time I choose to retire from politics.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party. On my part, I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the capricious trajectory of the party. Therefore, 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. Today, the 10th of March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Subsequent to this, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues and loyalists alike about the future, and have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”
Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson of El-Rufai, did not respond to multiple messages seeking his reaction to the letter.
But sources in El-Rufai’s camp confirmed that all arrangements have been made for the former governor to submit his resignation letter to the APC at his ward in Kaduna.
An ally, who served as a commissioner under El-Rufai’s administration told Daily Trust that El-Rufai would be leaving the APC for the SDP today.
“Yes, we are all aware that he (El-Rufai) will tender his resignation from APC today, Monday, 10th March 2025, and join SDP. That is all we have been waiting for,” the source said.
The source further stated that El-Rufai’s supporters were not surprised by the leaked letter, as they were already aware of the development.
He said having worked closely with the former governor, he could vouch for the authenticity of the letter, which is yet to be posted on any of the social media platforms of El-Rufai, an avid social media user.
Last week, Alexa News Nigeria had exclusively reported that El-Rufai’s ally, Nasiru Abdullahi Maikano, emerged the new interim chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the SDP in Kaduna State.
El-Rufai, who has been very critical of the ruling party in recent times, has been meeting with key opposition figures.
On Sunday, he met with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun State governor, estranged associate of President Bola Tinubu.
He has also held multiple meetings with SDP leaders.
