Former Kaduna Governor Cites Divergence from APC’s Founding Values, Calls on Supporters to Follow Him to SDP
In a significant political move, Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The announcement, made on March 10, 2025, ends months of speculation about el-Rufai’s next steps in Nigeria’s ever-evolving political landscape.
El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), revealed his decision in a heartfelt statement, expressing disappointment with the direction of his former party. “As a founding member of the APC, I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC,” he said. “It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and those of the APC would continue to align. However, developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control the party to address its unhealthy situation.”
The former governor, known for his outspoken nature, had been critical of the APC’s leadership in recent months, accusing it of operating like a “one-man show” and failing to hold regular meetings. He also took aim at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, recalling how his nomination as a minister was controversially rejected by the Senate in 2023. “The president did not want me in his cabinet. He changed his mind,” el-Rufai stated, dismissing claims that the National Assembly was solely responsible for the decision.
El-Rufai’s resignation from the APC comes after a series of high-profile consultations with political leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and SDP National Chairman Shehu Gabam. In January, he met with Hamza Al-Mustapha, former aide to the late General Sani Abacha, and other politicians in Abuja, fueling speculation about his plans for the 2027 elections.
In his statement, el-Rufai emphasized the need for pragmatism in politics, stating, “Founders rightly feel attached to institutions they helped create, but one must be pragmatic enough to admit when a divergence appears unbridgeable.” He called on his supporters and like-minded Nigerians to join him in the SDP, which he described as a platform for pursuing the progressive values he holds dear.
El-Rufai’s move to the SDP marks a new chapter in his political career, which has seen him serve as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023 and play a key role in the formation of the APC. His departure from the ruling party is likely to send ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as the 2027 elections draw closer.
For now, el-Rufai’s focus appears to be on rebuilding and repositioning himself within the SDP, a party that has struggled to regain its footing since its heyday in the 1990s. Whether this move will reignite his political influence or further deepen the divisions within Nigeria’s opposition remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Nasir el-Rufai’s exit from the APC is a bold statement that underscores the growing tensions within Nigeria’s ruling party and the shifting allegiances shaping the country’s future.
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