Former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir El-Rufai, has formally resigned from the ruling party and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai announced his decision in a post on his social media page on Monday, stating that after extensive consultations with his mentors, colleagues, and loyalists, he had concluded that his political future no longer aligned with the APC. He also confirmed that he had submitted his resignation letter to his ward in Kaduna.
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The former governor expressed deep disappointment with the APC’s leadership, accusing the party of deviating from the progressive ideals that inspired its formation.
He further criticized the ruling party for sidelining internal concerns and undermining its democratic structures.
“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. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC would continue to align up to the time I choose to retire from politics,” El-Rufai stated.
“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,” he said.
El-Rufai, a key figure in APC’s victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, said he could no longer remain in a party that has “castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt.”
Now a member of the SDP, he revealed plans to unite opposition forces to mount a formidable challenge against the APC in future elections, particularly the 2027 general election.
“Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027 by the Grace of God.”
Calling on supporters and Nigerians disillusioned with the APC to join the SDP, he pledged to work towards making Nigeria a beacon of pride for Africa and the Black Race.