El-Rufai confirms resignation & dumping of APC as he joins SDP
Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has confirmed his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party he helped to form, following the circulation of a widely shared resignation letter.
The letter, titled “Onwards to the future”, captures El-Rufai’s reflections on his time in the APC and his reasons for leaving.
“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 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.
“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. Today, the 10th of March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately.
“Subsequent to this, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues and loyalists alike about the future, and have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”
While El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the resignation, sources within his camp confirmed that all arrangements had been finalized for the submission of his resignation letter at his ward in Kaduna.
A close associate who served as a commissioner under El-Rufai’s administration revealed that the former governor’s move to the SDP was not unexpected.
“Yes, we are all aware that he (El-Rufai) will tender his resignation from APC today, Monday, 10th March 2025, and join SDP. That is all we have been waiting for,” the source stated.
The source further noted that those within El-Rufai’s inner circle had been anticipating the move, which had been the subject of discussions among his supporters.
Despite the letter not being posted on El-Rufai’s social media pages, a platform he frequently uses, the source vouched for its authenticity.
Last week, reports indicated that El-Rufai’s ally, Nasiru Abdullahi Maikano, had been appointed as the interim chairman of the SDP’s Caretaker Committee in Kaduna State.
El-Rufai’s recent meetings with prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, have further fueled speculation about his next political steps.
Additionally, he has engaged in discussions with key SDP leaders, solidifying his decision to switch parties.
