Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has commended the merger of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, describing it as a bold step toward unity and strategic foresight ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The merger was formalized during a high-level coalition meeting held in Kaduna on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The meeting, chaired by El-Rufai, brought together prominent political leaders and stakeholders from various parties.
In a statement released on Sunday by Coalition Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah, El-Rufai praised the collapse of SDP’s Kaduna State structure into the ADC as a historic and visionary move.
“What we are witnessing is not just an alliance of party structures, but a unity of purpose,” El-Rufai said in his opening remarks. He emphasized the importance of inclusive governance and collective leadership, stating that real progress in Kaduna could only come from collaboration and a shared commitment to the people’s welfare.
Key political figures at the event included Ja’afar Mohammed Sani, ADC Vice Chairman (North West); Elder Patrick Ambut, ADC State Chairman; Mallam Bashir Saidu, ADC Kaduna State Leader; members of the SDP State Working Committee; former commissioners; and representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ADC Vice Chairman, Ja’afar Sani, hailed the SDP’s decision as a courageous and people-first approach, calling it “a new dawn for Kaduna politics.”
Echoing this sentiment, ADC State Chairman Elder Patrick Ambut warmly welcomed the new entrants, promising full integration into the party’s structure. “From today, we are one family with a shared destiny,” he declared.
Mallam Bashir Saidu described the merger as more than a political alliance, calling it “a convergence of ideologies” focused on service, transparency, and development.
As a major resolution of the meeting, the ADC National Working Committee will establish a Membership Registration Committee to oversee a state-wide registration and revalidation drive. This initiative aims to strengthen the party’s grassroots presence and prepare for upcoming elections.
“This revalidation exercise will not only consolidate the merger but also position the ADC as a strong, united, and people-driven party in Kaduna State,” Kurah concluded.
