Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Leaves APC For SDP, Accuses Party Of Contemptuous Treatment
In a shocking political development, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State and a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The announcement came in the form of a resignation letter submitted to the APC leadership in his ward in Kaduna State. This move is expected to send ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly within the APC, as El-Rufai has been a significant figure within the party for years.
El-Rufai, known for his instrumental role in the formation of the APC and his prominent role in the party’s victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, has expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s current leadership. He accused the APC of abandoning the progressive ideals that it was founded upon, claiming that the party’s leadership had failed to recognize and address the “unhealthy situation” within its ranks.
In a statement dated Monday, March 10, 2025, El-Rufai made it clear that his decision to leave the APC was not one made lightly. He articulated his frustration with the party’s trajectory and the leadership’s apparent disregard for his concerns over the past two years. According to El-Rufai, despite his numerous private and public warnings about the APC’s direction, the party’s leadership ignored his advice, and he could no longer support an organization that had lost its original vision and values.
“I have spent a great deal of time and energy fighting for the APC, helping to shape its direction, and contributing to its successes. But after seeing the events of the past two years, I can no longer in good conscience remain part of a party that has lost its soul,” El-Rufai said in his statement.
El-Rufai’s statement was scathing, with the former Kaduna governor accusing the party’s leadership of neglecting its progressive roots. He criticized the APC for treating its membership with contempt and for allowing internal divisions to fester unchecked. According to him, the party’s core organs had been “castrated” and its grassroots support disregarded.
“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 recalled his years of service to the party, particularly the role he played in its formation in 2013, as well as his tenure as governor of Kaduna State. He expressed disappointment that despite his efforts, the party had failed to live up to its original promise.
He pointed to the progressive policies that he championed during his eight years as Governor of Kaduna State, which were aimed at improving human development through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation. However, El-Rufai lamented that these accomplishments had become insignificant in the current APC, which he claims has abandoned the ideals upon which it was founded.
“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,” he said. “I find this no longer acceptable.”
El-Rufai’s resignation comes at a time when his dissatisfaction with the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been increasingly evident. In a recent interview on Arise News TV, El-Rufai openly criticized the APC-led government for sidelining him despite his pivotal role in securing President Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
The former Kaduna governor claimed that he had been deliberately excluded from the president’s cabinet, despite months of negotiations. El-Rufai revealed that after two months of discussions, an agreement had been reached for him to be nominated for a ministerial position, but according to him, the President later changed his mind.
“Please don’t believe the story that the National Assembly rejected me. The National Assembly has nothing to do with it. The President did not want me in his cabinet,” El-Rufai said. “After two months of negotiations, we finally agreed that he would nominate me as a minister, and then there were certain conditions I attached. I think, along the line, either the President changed his mind or something else happened.”
While El-Rufai emphasized that he had no personal grudges against President Tinubu, he made it clear that his disillusionment stemmed from the way the APC was being run. According to him, the unresolved internal issues within the party were contributing to a growing sense of discontent and division among party members. He warned that the party’s internal problems, if left unaddressed, could result in deeper cracks that would be difficult to mend.
El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP marks a dramatic shift in the Nigerian political scene, especially given his longstanding association with the APC. As one of the key architects of the APC’s rise to power in 2013, El-Rufai’s departure signals a potential shift in political alignments, particularly in northern Nigeria, where he enjoys significant influence. His defection to the SDP comes at a time when the party is looking to strengthen its presence in the political arena, positioning itself as an alternative to the APC and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In his resignation letter, El-Rufai expressed his confidence that the SDP would provide him with a platform to continue fighting for the progressive ideals he has long championed. He also encouraged his political allies and supporters to join him in the SDP, emphasizing that the party offered a more conducive environment for the advancement of the values he holds dear.
“My political journey has been one of unwavering commitment to progressive change, and I firmly believe that the SDP will provide a better platform to continue this work,” El-Rufai stated. “I encourage all those who have supported me over the years to join me in this new chapter as we work towards building a better future for all Nigerians.”
El-Rufai’s departure from the APC is a significant blow to the ruling party, particularly in the northern region, where he has a strong political base. The APC’s loss of such a high-profile figure is likely to have a ripple effect, with some of his loyalists and political allies potentially following him to the SDP. This defection may also spark further discontent within the party, especially among those who feel alienated by the current leadership and its direction.
The SDP, on the other hand, stands to benefit from El-Rufai’s political capital and the influence he wields in Kaduna and other northern states. His decision to join the SDP could potentially shift the party’s fortunes, providing it with the kind of political visibility it needs to make a serious challenge to the dominance of the APC and PDP in Nigerian politics.
For the Social Democratic Party, this could be a golden opportunity to present itself as a viable alternative to the two major parties, especially as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle. El-Rufai’s experience, expertise, and network could prove invaluable as the SDP seeks to expand its base and attract more voters disillusioned with the APC and PDP.
The APC now faces a difficult task in managing the fallout from El-Rufai’s defection. As one of the party’s founding members and a key player in its electoral successes, El-Rufai’s departure could spark a larger exodus of influential party members who share his dissatisfaction with the party’s current direction. The APC leadership will need to address the growing internal divisions and work to regain the trust of its members if it hopes to maintain its hold on power in the coming years.
Meanwhile, the SDP has an opportunity to capitalize on the dissatisfaction within the APC and attract more defectors who share El-Rufai’s progressive vision. As the SDP seeks to position itself as a credible alternative, it will need to strengthen its internal structures, build a broad-based coalition, and clearly define its policy agenda to appeal to voters across Nigeria.
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the APC to the SDP marks a pivotal moment in Nigerian politics. His departure from the ruling party reflects deep dissatisfaction with the APC’s leadership and direction, while his move to the SDP signals a shift toward the pursuit of a more progressive and inclusive political agenda. The political ramifications of El-Rufai’s decision will likely unfold in the coming months, as the APC grapples with internal discontent and the SDP looks to build on its newfound political momentum.
As Nigeria’s political landscape continues to evolve, the question of how parties adapt to changing public sentiments, especially in the face of disillusionment with traditional party politics, will be critical in shaping the future of the country’s democracy. El-Rufai’s decision is a clear reminder of the ever-changing nature of Nigerian politics and the importance of staying true to one’s values in the pursuit of progress.
