Why I dumped APC for SDP—El-Rufai

In a major political development, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party he helped to establish in 2013.

El-Rufai announced his departure on Monday, March 10, 2025, citing a fundamental departure from the party’s original values and direction as his primary reason.

He has since joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), positioning himself within a new political framework ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

El-Rufai, a key figure in the formation of the APC, expressed deep disappointment with the party’s current leadership, accusing it of abandoning its founding principles of progressivism, inclusivity, and accountability.

“For the past two years, I have consistently raised concerns—both publicly and privately—about the disturbing trajectory of the APC. Unfortunately, those in control have shown no willingness to acknowledge or address these issues,” El-Rufai stated in his resignation announcement.

The former governor, known for his bold governance and reformist policies in Kaduna State, lamented the APC’s erosion of internal democratic structures and its disregard for the voices of its members.

“These records count for little in the current APC, which has weakened its own systems and treated its membership with contempt,” he remarked. “I find this no longer acceptable.”

READ ALSO: El-Rufai dumps APC, joins SDP over ‘irreconcilable differences’ with party leadership

El-Rufai formally submitted his resignation letter to his ward in Kaduna State, making his exit from the APC immediate. Shortly after, he declared his allegiance to the SDP, a party he believes upholds the progressive ideals that initially defined his political aspirations.

“I have chosen to align with a platform that remains committed to transparency, inclusivity, and sustainable development,” he affirmed.

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El-Rufai urged his supporters and like-minded Nigerians to join him in his new political journey, framing his defection as part of a broader movement to offer a credible alternative to the APC in the 2027 elections.

His departure signals a significant realignment within Nigeria’s political sphere, raising concerns about the cohesion of the ruling APC and setting the stage for intensified political maneuvering in the years leading up to the next general elections.

With this move, El-Rufai joins a growing list of political figures exploring alternative platforms, potentially reshaping the landscape ahead of 2027.

His exit may inspire further defections, fueling speculation on whether the APC can maintain its grip on power or if the SDP and other opposition parties will emerge as formidable challengers in the coming election cycle.