Breaking: El-Rufai Dumps APC for SDP

In a major political shift, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially resigned from the ruling party, citing its deviation from its founding principles.

Announcing his decision in a statement on March 10, 2025, El-Rufai confirmed his move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), positioning it as his new platform for political engagements.

Reflecting on his role in the 2013 merger that created the APC, El-Rufai expressed disappointment over the party’s current direction.

“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.”

However, he argued that in the last two years, the APC leadership has shown no willingness to address the party’s growing internal dysfunction. He lamented that his repeated concerns—raised privately and publicly—had been ignored.

“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.”

El-Rufai, who served two terms as Governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023), highlighted his administration’s commitment to progressive governance, particularly in education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment attraction. However, he claimed the APC no longer values such contributions.

“These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable.”

He noted that founders often remain emotionally attached to institutions they help build, but at some point, pragmatism must prevail over sentiment.

“I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform, but I recognize that the party has since strayed and left me stuck in the vision of its well-meaning founding fathers and mothers.”

Confirming his official resignation from the APC, El-Rufai stated that he had formally notified his ward in Kaduna and completed consultations with his mentors, colleagues, and loyalists before making his decision.

“Today, 10th March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately.”

El-Rufai declared that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will now serve as his new political platform, where he hopes to pursue progressive values and national development.

“I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”

El-Rufai further signaled his intention to rally opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling for a unified front against the APC.

“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.”

Urging Nigerians to embrace the SDP as an alternative political force, El-Rufai emphasized the need for a new direction in governance.

“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.”

Concluding his statement, he reaffirmed his commitment to national progress:

“God Bless the Social Democratic Party. God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”