Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai announced his defection on his verified Facebook page on Monday, March 10th, 2025.
The resignation letter, which went viral earlier in the day, was initially met with silence from his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye. However, a close ally and former commissioner in El-Rufai’s government confirmed the move to Daily Trust, stating that the defection had been carefully planned.
El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, expressed his disappointment with the party’s current trajectory. He highlighted his concerns about the party’s leadership and their unwillingness to address internal issues. Despite his efforts to align his values with those of the APC, El-Rufai felt compelled to seek a new political platform that better represented his progressive ideals.
During his tenure as governor, El-Rufai implemented various policies aimed at improving education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation in Kaduna State. He played a significant role in securing election victories for the APC in 2015, 2019, and 2023. However, he now believes that the party has strayed from its founding principles and no longer values the contributions of its members.
El-Rufai’s decision to join the SDP comes after extensive consultations with his mentors, colleagues, and loyal supporters. He plans to work towards uniting opposition leaders and parties under a single democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections.
In his resignation letter, El-Rufai called on his supporters and concerned citizens to join him in the SDP, with the goal of making Nigeria a beacon of pride for Africans and the Black Race.
Thank you and God Bless the Social Democratic Party.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, CON
Abuja, Nigeria
