Real reason I dumped APC – El-Rufai opens up

Former Kaduna State Governor and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling party, expressing deep concerns over its current trajectory and leadership.

In a statement released on Monday, El-Rufai criticized the APC for straying from its founding ideals and accused its leaders of neglecting critical internal issues while sidelining key members. He noted that despite making efforts both publicly and privately to address these concerns, the party has failed to uphold the progressive values it once stood for.

“It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC would continue to align up to the time I choose to retire from politics,” he stated. “However, 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 major role in the APC’s electoral victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, expressed disappointment that the party had abandoned its founding principles. Reflecting on his eight-year tenure as governor, he emphasized his administration’s commitment to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and investment—values he claims are no longer a priority for the APC.

“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,” he added.

After consulting with political associates, mentors, and supporters across the country, El-Rufai announced his decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which he believes offers a stronger platform for progressive governance. He also called on other opposition leaders to unite and form a formidable front against the APC in future elections.

“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,” he declared.

El-Rufai’s defection adds to the growing list of influential politicians who have distanced themselves from the APC or voiced dissatisfaction with its leadership. His move to the SDP could signal a broader political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With his departure, the big question now is whether this will trigger more defections from the ruling party or if the APC will withstand yet another internal crisis.

One thing is certain, El-Rufai’s decision has set the stage for a fierce political showdown in the coming years.