Mohammed Bello El Rufai, the member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress APC and joined the African Democratic Congress ADC in a major political move ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bello El Rufai, who is the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el Rufai, confirmed his defection in a statement released on Thursday, sparking fresh reactions across Nigeria’s political space.
The Kaduna lawmaker did not move alone. Another member of the House of Representatives representing Kudan and Makarfi Federal Constituency in Kaduna State also dumped his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, and joined the ADC.
The latest defections have added fresh tension to the growing political realignment already building across the country as parties and top politicians prepare for the 2027 elections.
Three more lawmakers also announced changes in political allegiance, showing that the battle for stronger political platforms has intensified.
Suleiman Richifa, who represents Soba Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, resigned from the PDP and joined the ADC, further boosting the party’s growing influence in northern Nigeria.
In Kano State, Abdulhakeem Ado officially left the ADC and moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC in another surprising political switch.
The wave of defections is coming at a time when opposition politicians, lawmakers and power blocs are holding talks over possible coalitions and party restructuring before the next general election.
Over the past few weeks, several politicians from different parties have abandoned their platforms to join either the ADC or the NDC as political negotiations continue across the country.
Political observers believe the increasing movement of lawmakers and party members could reshape alliances and change the balance of power before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
