Key Points
- Nasir El-Rufai leaves APC, saying the party has changed.
- He joins the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to build a strong opposition.
- He plans to bring other leaders together to challenge APC in 2027.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has officially left the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he helped create. On Monday, March 10, 2025, he announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), saying the APC had strayed from its founding principles.
El-Rufai shared the news on his verified Facebook page, explaining that he no longer felt aligned with the party’s direction. He also revealed plans to rally other opposition leaders and strengthen the SDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai’s growing rift with APC
For months, there were signs that El-Rufai was unhappy with the APC. On February 24, during an interview with Arise News, he hinted at his possible departure. “I did not leave the party, the party left me,” he said. “If it does not return to its founding principles, I will have to leave.”
Once a strong supporter of President Bola Tinubu, El-Rufai played a key role in his campaign. After Tinubu’s victory, he was nominated for a ministerial position, but the Senate blocked his confirmation. They cited a report from the State Security Service (SSS), deepening his frustration with the APC leadership.
El-Rufai became more vocal in his criticism, openly challenging party decisions and calling out top officials. Many believed his exit was only a matter of time.
Why he left and what’s next
In his resignation letter, El-Rufai reflected on his journey with the APC. He said he had hoped to remain with the party until retirement but felt it had abandoned its core values.
“I have raised concerns in private and in public about the party’s unhealthy direction,” he wrote. “There is no willingness to acknowledge or fix these issues. At this point, I must find another political platform to pursue the progressive values I believe in.”
He described his time in the APC as one of dedicated service, helping the party win elections in 2015, 2019, and 2023. As governor, he focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment. However, he accused the APC leadership of sidelining party members and ignoring internal democracy in recent years.
“I can no longer accept this,” he stated.
El-Rufai’s plan to challenge APC
El-Rufai’s move to the SDP is not just about personal dissatisfaction—it is a calculated effort to build a strong opposition. He is already reaching out to other political figures to form a united front against the APC in upcoming elections.
“As a member of the SDP, I will work to bring opposition leaders together under one platform,” he announced. “We must challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections from now until 2027.”
He urged his supporters and Nigerians who believe in change to join the SDP, promising a renewed push for national development.
“Let us make Nigeria a beacon of pride for Africa and the Black Race,” he said in his closing statement.
El-Rufai’s defection shakes up Nigeria’s political landscape, adding momentum to opposition efforts. Whether his move will change the course of future elections remains to be seen.
