Former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling party, citing concerns over its current trajectory. The announcement came in a press release issued on Monday, where El-Rufai revealed that he had submitted his resignation to his ward in Kaduna and would be joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to continue his political career.
El-Rufai, a pivotal figure in the formation of the APC in 2013, expressed disappointment over the party’s deviation from its original principles. He 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.”
Following extensive consultations with his political allies, El-Rufai shared that his decision to join the SDP comes after a deep reflection on the party’s direction. “I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities,” he said.
Having served as Governor of Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, El-Rufai highlighted his significant contributions to the APC’s electoral successes and governance. However, he criticized the party for sidelining its members in recent years, stating, “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.”
In his commitment to opposition unity, El-Rufai emphasized the importance of rallying together to challenge the APC in future elections. He urged other political leaders and Nigerians to unite under a common platform, stating, “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.”