By Abimbola Ologun
In a surprising move, Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State and one of the founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially announced his departure from the ruling party to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page on Monday, El-Rufai confirmed that he had submitted his formal resignation letter to his local APC ward in Kaduna, signaling the end of his long association with the party. He emphasized that before making this decision, he had consulted extensively with his mentors, fellow politicians, and loyalists.
“As a founding member of the APC, I have cherished memories of working with other patriots to form the party through a merger of political groups. Since 2013, I had hoped that my personal values would continue to align with those of the APC until I decided to retire from active politics,” El-Rufai explained.
However, he expressed deep dissatisfaction with the current state of the APC, accusing the party leadership of ignoring internal grievances and undermining the party’s democratic structures. El-Rufai noted, “Recent developments over the past two years confirm that those in control of the APC have no interest in addressing the party’s unhealthy situation.”
Having played a pivotal role in APC’s successes in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections, El-Rufai declared that he could no longer remain part of a party that had stripped its organs of power and shown disrespect for its members.
As a new member of the SDP, El-Rufai outlined his vision for the future, stressing his commitment to fostering unity among opposition parties in Nigeria. His goal, he said, was to create a strong coalition capable of challenging the APC in upcoming elections, particularly the 2027 general elections.
He further stated, “While I focus on my role within the SDP, I will work to unite opposition leaders and parties under a unified platform to take on the APC in all elections and by-elections leading up to 2027. By God’s grace, we will create a thriving democracy that will make Nigeria a beacon of pride for Africa and the Black Race.”
El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP is a significant political development, signaling possible shifts in Nigeria’s political landscape as the 2027 elections approach.
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