Citing irreconciliable differences, ex-Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He has joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after formally resigning from the APC.
The former governor submitted his resignation letter to his ward in Kaduna State on Monday, where he expressed disappointment with the APC’s trajectory in recent years.
Also disclosing his resignation from his former party in a press statement released on his X handle on Monday, he expressed his disappointment with the APC’s leadership, accusing the party of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members.
According to the statement, “As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. Since 2013, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the APC will continue to align until I choose to retire from politics.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that those who currently control and run the APC do not desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation. I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the party’s capricious trajectory. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform to pursue the progressive values I cherish.
“Founders rightly feel attached towards institutions they helped create, but one must be pragmatic enough to admit when a divergence appears unbridgeable. I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform, but I recognize that the party has since strayed and left me stuck in the vision of its well-meaning founding fathers and mothers.
“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 that stood for certain democratic and progressive principles to advance nation-building.” The former Kaduna governor maintained that he had submitted the resignation letter from the ruling party, adding that his consultations with his mentors, colleagues, and loyalists made him settle for SDP in preparation for the 2027 general election.
“Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate 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 said.
He, however, enjoined his supporters and other Nigerians to join his new party in an attempt to bring back Nigeria as a beacon of pride for Africans and the black race.
It will be recalled that El-Rufai joined some chieftains of the ruling party to criticise the National Executive Council and Board of Trustees for not convening meetings throughout last year and did not attend the recent stakeholders’ meeting scheduled at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He explained that the meeting lacked the required 14 to 21 days’ notice.
Also, on Sunday, he visited ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and Pastor Tunde Bakare, in Lagos.
Photographs of the Kaduna politician posing with Aregbesola and Bakare went viral on social media.
While El-Rufai’s discussion with the two politicians was not revealed, it is believed that the visits were part of his political scheming ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his resignation letter to the APC, he wrote partly: “I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform.
“However, developments in the last two years have confirmed a troubling disregard for democratic principles and progressive values that I hold dear”
El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, played a key role in securing electoral victories for the party in 2015, 2019, and 2023.
Reflecting on his tenure as Kaduna governor, he highlighted his administration’s focus on human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure , job creation, and investment.
Despite his contributions, he signaled his decision to part ways with the APC due to growing concerns about governance and internal party dynamics.
“At this point in my political journey, I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” he said.
Announcing his move to the SDP, El-Rufai expressed gratitude to his mentors, colleagues, and supporters, reaffirming his commitment to advancing democratic principles.
“As a member of the SDP, I am committed to fostering a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections,” he declared.
He urged Nigerians who share his concerns about the country’s future to join him in building the SDP as a viable alternative, emphasizing the need to elevate Nigeria as a beacon of pride for Africa and the Black Race.
El-Rufai concluded his statement with a call for unity and progress, vowing to dedicate his efforts toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
It will be recalled that El Rufai had complained recently that President Bola Tinubu, but not the Senate rejected him as a minister in his cabinet.
