El-Rufai dumps APC, joins SDP

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a resignation letter submitted on Monday, March 10, 2025, to his local APC office in Kaduna, El-Rufai cited irreconcilable differences with the party’s leadership as his reason for leaving.

He expressed disappointment over the APC’s trajectory in recent years, stating that the party had deviated from its founding principles.

El-Rufai, a key figure in the APC’s rise to power in 2015, has been increasingly vocal about his discontent with the ruling party.

“I have worked hard for the APC and contributed to its growth,” El-Rufai said. “But over the past two years, it has become clear that the party no longer respects the democratic principles and progressive values I believe in.”

El-Rufai, who was a founding member of the APC, played a significant role in the party’s victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023. Reflecting on his time as governor, he highlighted his focus on improving education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and attracting investments.

He added that his decision to leave the APC was driven by concerns over the party’s internal workings and the direction of governance.

“At this stage in my political journey, I must find another platform to pursue the progressive values I hold dear,” he said.

When announcing his switch to the SDP, El-Rufai thanked his mentors, colleagues, and supporters, and stressed his commitment to supporting democratic principles.

“As a member of the SDP, I aim to help build a strong, united platform to challenge the APC in future elections,” he said.

This decision comes shortly after El-Rufai denied rumours that he planned to leave the APC. Just days earlier, he had told journalists at a national conference on democracy in Abuja that he had no intention of quitting the party and hoped for better performance from its leadership.