He called on supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to join the SDP in working towards a better future for the country.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing the party’s deviation from its founding principles as reason.
El-Rufai had campaigned for the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 but fell out with the administration after his nomination as minister failed to scale through.
He is also embroiled in a political fight with his successor, Governor Uba Sani, in Kaduna State.
In a statement released on Monday, March 10, 2025, El-Rufai announced his resignation from the APC, lamenting that the party has been hijacked by forces unwilling to address its internal challenges.
He expressed disappointment over the trajectory of the APC in the last two years, stating that it no longer aligns with his values of progressive governance.
“As a founding member of the APC, I have fond memories of working with others to create a platform for progressive politics. However, it is now clear that those controlling the party have no desire to acknowledge or address its unhealthy state. I have raised concerns in private and in public, but the situation remains unchanged,” he said.
El-Rufai emphasised his contributions to the APC’s electoral victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, as well as his efforts as Kaduna State Governor to implement progressive policies. However, he criticised the party’s leadership for sidelining its members and stifling internal democracy.
“Today, I have submitted my resignation from the APC to my ward in Kaduna. After extensive consultations with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists, I have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the platform for our future political engagements,” he declared.
The former governor also signaled his intention to rally opposition leaders and parties under a unified front to challenge the APC in upcoming elections. He called on supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to join the SDP in working towards a better future for the country.