El-Rufai Resigns from APC, Joins SDP
Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially resigned from the party and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP),leadership reports.
In a statement issued on Monday announcing his defection, El-Rufai cited developments over the past two years as evidence that those currently in control of the APC have no intention of addressing the party’s internal challenges.
“As a founding member of the APC, I had hoped that my personal values would continue to align with those of the party until my retirement from politics. However, the trajectory of the APC has become increasingly capricious,” he said. “I have raised my concerns privately and, more recently, publicly, but it has become clear that meaningful change will not happen.”
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El-Rufai revealed that he had submitted his resignation letter to his ward in Kaduna, effective immediately, after consulting with mentors, colleagues, and loyalists across the country. He added that he had now chosen the SDP as his new political platform.
“Moving forward, I will focus on uniting and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to come together 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 declared.
Reflecting on his time in the APC, El-Rufai recalled the party’s early days and his role in its formation.
“I have fond memories of working with fellow compatriots to negotiate the merger that gave birth to the APC. Since 2013, I had envisioned a long-term alignment between my values and those of the party. Unfortunately, recent developments have proven otherwise,” he stated.
Acknowledging the difficulty of leaving a party he helped build, El-Rufai emphasized that leaders must be pragmatic when faced with an unbridgeable divergence.
“I have diligently served the APC and contributed to its viability as a political platform. However, the party has strayed far from the vision of its well-meaning founders. It has marginalized its members, disregarded internal democracy, and rendered its organs ineffective over the last two years. This is no longer acceptable to me,” he added.
The former governor also highlighted his commitment to progressive governance during his tenure in Kaduna State, citing reforms in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation. However, he lamented that such principles now hold little significance within the APC.
“Despite our efforts to advance nation-building and secure victories for the party in 2015, 2019, and 2023, the APC has abandoned its founding ideals. It is time to move forward,” he stated.
El-Rufai concluded by calling on his supporters and other like-minded Nigerians to join the SDP in the collective effort to rebuild the country.
“I invite all who are passionate about Nigeria’s future to join us in the SDP as we work toward making our nation a beacon of hope for Africa and the Black race,” he said.
