EL-RUFAI DUMPS APC, JOINS SDP OVER ‘PROGRESSIVE VALUES ’
Former Kaduna State Governor and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling party and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In a statement released on Monday, El-Rufai cited a deepening misalignment between his personal values and the APC’s current trajectory as the driving force behind his decision. He expressed disappointment over the party’s leadership, accusing it of straying from the progressive ideals upon which it was founded.
“For the past two years, I have raised concerns both privately and publicly about the APC’s direction, but the current leadership has shown no willingness to address them,” he stated. “Recent developments confirm that those in control of the party have no intention of acknowledging, let alone fixing, its declining state.”
El-Rufai, who played a pivotal role in the formation of the APC in 2013, recalled his efforts in negotiating the merger that led to the party’s creation. He also highlighted his contributions to the APC’s victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, as well as his eight-year tenure as Kaduna State governor, during which he prioritized education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.
“My tenure in Kaduna was dedicated to implementing progressive policies that advanced human development,” he noted. “Unfortunately, the current APC has weakened its structures and treated its members with disregard—a situation I can no longer accept.”
El-Rufai’s resignation from the APC takes effect immediately and has been formally submitted to his ward in Kaduna State. He also announced his decision to join the SDP, describing it as the ideal platform for his future political engagements.
Calling on his supporters and other like-minded Nigerians to join him, he emphasized the need for a strong, unified democratic alternative to challenge the APC.
