Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In a statement released on March 10, 2025, El-Rufai announced his departure from the APC, citing concerns over the party’s trajectory and lack of internal democracy.
“Today, the 10th of March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Subsequent to this, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists alike about the future, and have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities,” he stated.
El-Rufai expressed disappointment in the APC’s leadership, saying that developments in the last two years indicate that those controlling the party have no intention of addressing its internal issues. He noted that despite raising concerns privately and publicly, the party has failed to realign with its founding principles.
“As a loyal party man, I worked to help secure the APC’s election victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023. I was one of the many governors elected on the party’s platform in 2015 and 2019, standing for democratic and progressive principles to advance nation-building. However, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” he said.
The former governor highlighted his administration’s commitment to human development, education, healthcare, and infrastructure in Kaduna State but lamented that such efforts hold little value in the APC, which he claims has sidelined its members in recent years.
“As a founding member of the APC, I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC would align up to the time I choose to retire from politics,” he said.
El-Rufai stated that as a member of the SDP, he would work towards uniting opposition leaders and parties under a single platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections.
“I therefore call on all our supporters and other persons concerned about our country’s future to join us in the SDP in the journey towards making Nigeria flourish as a beacon of pride for Africans and the Black Race,” he added.
