Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and switched over to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai’s resignation letter has been submitted already to the leadership of the APC in his ward in Kaduna State.
The former governor, who also served as the Federal Capital Territory minister, has instructed all his supporters and associates to join the SDP.
He cited a growing discord between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his decision to quit APC.
In a statement today, March 10, el-Rufai expressed disappointment with the APC’s leadership, accusing the party of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members.
He said that he had raised concerns about the party’s trajectory both privately and publicly over the past two years but found no willingness among the current leadership to address the issues.
“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.”
el-Rufai, who played a key role in the formation of the APC in 2013, recalled his efforts in negotiating the merger of political parties that led to the creation of the ruling party.
He highlighted his contributions to the APC’s electoral successes in 2015, 2019, and 2023, as well as his tenure as Kaduna State Governor, during which he implemented policies focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.
“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development.
“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.”
