By Ghazali Ibrahim 
The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Citing irreconcilable differences with the APC’s leadership, El-Rufai expressed disappointment with the party’s direction in recent years.
In his resignation letter submitted to his ward in Kaduna State on Monday, he stated: “I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform.”
“However, developments in the last two years have confirmed a troubling disregard for democratic principles and progressive values that I hold dear.”
As a founding member of the APC, El-Rufai played a pivotal role in securing electoral victories for the party in 2015, 2019, and 2023.
Reflecting on his tenure as Kaduna governor, he highlighted his administration’s focus on human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.
Despite his contributions, he stated that concerns about governance and internal party dynamics had led him to seek a new political home.
El-Rufai has continued to consult widely, on Sunday, he paid a visit to former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and renowned cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos.
This came after some of his associates, especially in Kaduna recently defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a development which heightened speculations that he might decamp to the party.
“At this point in my political journey, I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” he declared.
Announcing his move to the SDP, El-Rufai expressed gratitude to his mentors, colleagues, and supporters, reaffirming his dedication to democratic principles.
“As a member of the SDP, I am committed to fostering a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections,” he asserted.
He urged Nigerians who share his concerns about the country’s future to join him in building the SDP into a viable alternative, emphasizing the need to position Nigeria as a beacon of pride for Africa and the Black Race.
El-Rufai concluded his statement with a call for unity and progress, vowing to dedicate his efforts to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic experience.
