Update: I Left APC Because Party Is Now Being Run Without Vision — Former Governor, El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the party’s deviation from its founding principles and vision.

El-Rufai announced his decision in a statement shared on Facebook on Monday, where he also confirmed his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The former governor, a founding member of the APC, lamented that the party has been hijacked by individuals who have abandoned the progressive ideals that inspired its formation in 2013.

He accused the current leadership of disregarding internal democracy and treating members with contempt.

In his statement, El-Rufai said: “As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC will continue to align up to the time I choose to retire from politics.

“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party.”

He revealed that he had repeatedly raised concerns about the party’s trajectory, both in private and public, but his warnings were ignored.

“On my part, I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the capricious trajectory of the party. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” he said.

El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, said he had hoped that the APC would remain committed to the principles of good governance, democracy, and development.

However, he now believes the party has strayed and no longer represents the ideals of its founding fathers.

He said, “Founders rightly feel attached towards institutions they helped create, but one must be pragmatic enough to admit when a divergence appears unbridgeable.

“I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform, but I recognize that the party has since strayed and left me stuck in the vision of its well-meaning founding fathers and mothers.”

The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recalled how he played a key role in securing electoral victories for the APC in 2015, 2019, and 2023, but expressed disappointment at how the party has been run in recent years.

He said, “As a loyal party man, I worked to help secure the APC’s election victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023. I was one of the many governors elected on the party’s platform in 2015 and 2019, that stood for certain democratic and progressive principles to advance nation-building.

“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development in education and healthcare, as well as expand infrastructure, promote equality of opportunity, create jobs, and attract investments.

“These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable.”

Announcing his resignation from the APC, El-Rufai stated that he had formally submitted his resignation letter to his ward in Kaduna on March 10, 2025.

“Today, 10th March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Prior to this step, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists across the country about the future. I have now decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”

El-Rufai also declared his intention to rally opposition parties to challenge the APC in upcoming elections, calling on Nigerians who believe in progressive governance to join him in the SDP.

“Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027 by the Grace of God,” he said.

“I therefore call on all our supporters and other persons concerned about our country’s future to join us in the SDP in the journey towards making Nigeria flourish as a beacon of pride for Africans and the Black Race.”

El-Rufai’s defection comes amid growing discontent within the APC, with several party members and stakeholders accusing the leadership of sidelining founding members and neglecting democratic principles.

As the 2027 general elections approach, El-Rufai’s move could signal the beginning of realignment efforts among opposition parties seeking to challenge the APC’s dominance and President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.