Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday.He was one of the major stakeholders who founded the ruling party back in 2014.
He announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a post on his verified Facebook page.He said he had submitted his resignation letter from the APC to his ward in Kaduna and had concluded consultations with his mentors, colleagues, and loyalists before making the decision.
The former governor wrote, “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.”
He accused the party’s leadership of ignoring internal concerns and stifling its democratic structures.
He noted, “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 played a key role in the APC’s victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, said he could no longer remain in a party that has “castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt.”
The former governor added that as a member of the SDP, he would work to unite opposition parties to challenge the APC in future elections, including the 2027 general election.
“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,” he said.
He called on supporters and all who wish Nigeria well to join the SDP so that together, they can advance the country.
