Our Values No Longer Align — El-Rufai Leaves APC

Nasir el-Rufai, who previously served as the governor of Kaduna state, has officially withdrawn his membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aligned himself with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), putting an end to months of conjecture regarding his political trajectory.

The ex-minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was observed engaging with prominent figures from various political parties, including Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday, March 9, which intensified rumors about his forthcoming decision.

In a formal declaration explaining his choice, el-Rufai expressed that the APC had left him with no alternative but to search for a different political avenue.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

El-Rufai urged his followers “and other persons concerned about our country’s future” to accompany him in joining the SDP.

“Today, 10th March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately,” he further noted.

“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.”

Back in January, el-Rufai held discussions with Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former aide to the late Sani Abacha; Shehu Gabam, the national chairman of the SDP; and other political figures in Abuja. Segun Sowunmi, a past spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar campaign organization, indicated that the gathering was aimed at planning for the 2027 elections.

El-Rufai had previously hinted at his increasing dissatisfaction with the APC, noting in February that the divide between him and the party had “widened.” He also condemned its leadership for operating the party as a “one-man show” and neglecting to conduct regular meetings.

Since the Senate refused to approve his appointment as a minister, el-Rufai has been openly disparaging of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In February, he refuted assertions that the National Assembly had turned him down as a ministerial candidate, instead alleging that Tinubu had reconsidered his stance.

“The president publicly appealed to me to put my plans on hold, and through two months of negotiation, we finally agreed that he would nominate me as minister,” he said.

“Please don’t believe the story that the national assembly rejected me. The president did not want me in his cabinet. He changed his mind.” El-Rufai held the position of governor of Kaduna from 2015 to 2023.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli