Former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has resigned from the ruling party, citing its deviation from the principles upon which it was established.
El-Rufai has now joined the Social Democratic Party, positioning himself within an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A key architect in the APC’s formation in 2013, El-Rufai made his resignation public in a statement released on Monday, March 10, 2025. He expressed profound disappointment with the party’s leadership, accusing it of abandoning its once-progressive agenda.
“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, let alone address, these issues,” he stated.
The former governor, known for his reformist policies in Kaduna State, lamented the party’s disregard for its internal structures and membership, arguing that it has strayed far from the foundational principles that once united its diverse political factions.
“These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt,” he remarked. “I find this no longer acceptable.”
El-Rufai’s resignation was formally submitted to his ward in Kaduna State, making his exit from the APC effective immediately. He explained that his decision to join the SDP was driven by the party’s commitment to the progressive ideals he has long advocated.
Calling on his supporters and other Nigerians to join him, El-Rufai framed his defection as part of a broader effort to provide a credible alternative to the APC in the 2027 elections.
