El-Rufai Quits APC, Joins SDP to Challenge Ruling Party Ahead of 2027
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing a departure from the founding principles of the ruling party.
El-Rufai made the announcement on his verified Facebook page on Monday, in a post titled “NIGERIA UPDATE: Onwards to the Future.”
In his statement, he reflected on his time as a founding member of the APC and his growing disillusionment with the party’s leadership and direction.
“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 continue to 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.”
El-Rufai emphasized that his decision to join the SDP came after extensive consultations with his mentors, colleagues and supporters nationwide.
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“Today, 10th March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Prior to this step, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues and loyalists across the country about the future. I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.
“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. I therefore call on all our supporters and other persons concerned about our country’s future to join us in the SDP in the journey towards making Nigeria flourish as a beacon of pride for Africans and the Black Race.”
His defection comes amid speculation about his future political ambitions and possible alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
With his move to the SDP, El-Rufai is expected to play a key role in shaping opposition politics as Nigeria heads towards its next general election.
