BREAKING: El-Rufai dumps APC, joins SDP

Former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling party and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing ideological differences and dissatisfaction with the APC’s leadership.

In a statement released on Monday, March 10, 2025, El-Rufai expressed his disappointment with the APC’s trajectory, accusing its leadership of abandoning the progressive ideals that guided its formation.

“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 stated.

“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, a key figure in the APC’s formation in 2013, played a vital role in merging opposition parties to create the ruling party. He also contributed to the APC’s electoral victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023. Reflecting on his eight years as Kaduna State governor, he highlighted his administration’s focus on education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.

“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development,” he noted. “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.”

El-Rufai’s resignation was formally submitted to his ward in Kaduna State, marking the end of his association with the APC. Announcing his decision to join the SDP, he described it as the party that aligns with his vision for governance. He urged his supporters and other concerned Nigerians to join him, emphasizing the need for a strong opposition to challenge the APC in future elections.