UPDATED: El-Rufai Dumps APC, Joins SDP Amidst Deepening Party Crisis
In a political move that underscores the growing turmoil within Nigeria’s ruling party, former Kaduna State Governor and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir El-Rufai, has formally severed ties with the APC, citing irreconcilable differences with the party’s current leadership. The embattled politician has now pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a move widely seen as a strategic step ahead of the 2027 general elections.
El-Rufai, known for his blunt political rhetoric and reformist posture, announced his decision in a statement released on his X handle, where he lamented what he described as the APC’s deviation from the core progressive values it was founded upon. His defection comes amid growing discontent within the party, raising questions about the APC’s internal stability and its preparedness for the next electoral cycle.
APC’s Broken Promises and Leadership Failures
In his statement, El-Rufai did not mince words in critiquing the APC leadership, accusing them of steering the party away from its founding principles. According to him, the last two years have confirmed that the party’s current handlers lack the will to acknowledge, let alone rectify, its declining integrity and governance approach.
“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. Since 2013, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the APC will continue to align until I choose to retire from politics,” he said.
However, his hopes were dashed by what he termed the party’s “capricious trajectory,” an apparent reference to the APC’s failure to convene key decision-making meetings and its increasingly autocratic leadership structure.
El-Rufai’s Next Political Move
El-Rufai’s departure from the APC is not an isolated decision; it is part of a broader political recalibration ahead of the 2027 elections. His choice of SDP as his new platform signals an attempt to consolidate opposition forces against the ruling party.
“Without prejudice to this decision, 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 by the Grace of God,” he said.
By positioning himself within the SDP, El-Rufai appears to be testing the waters for a possible presidential bid or a kingmaker role in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. His defection raises the prospect of realignments among disillusioned APC members who may also be weighing their options.
A Symbolic Exit?
El-Rufai’s decision to quit the APC follows his persistent criticism of the party’s failure to convene critical National Executive Council and Board of Trustees meetings, a glaring indication of dysfunction within the ruling party. His absence from a recent stakeholders’ meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, reportedly due to insufficient notice, further signaled his growing detachment from the party’s leadership.
Adding to the intrigue, El-Rufai was recently spotted in Lagos in closed-door meetings with former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and outspoken cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare. While the details of their discussions remain undisclosed, political analysts suggest the meetings are part of his wider consultations to consolidate his next moves.
Implications for APC and 2027 Elections
El-Rufai’s defection is more than just a personal political decision; it underscores the deepening crisis within the APC and the challenges it faces heading into the 2027 elections. His departure signals a growing discontent among key stakeholders, many of whom have privately voiced frustrations over the party’s direction under its current leadership.
With opposition parties still fragmented, El-Rufai’s move to the SDP could spark discussions on forming a broader coalition to challenge the APC’s dominance. Whether his defection will trigger a mass exodus or remain an isolated case remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that Nigeria’s political landscape is entering a period of significant realignments.
For now, the APC faces a critical moment: will it address internal grievances and reinvent itself, or will it continue on what El-Rufai describes as a “capricious trajectory”? The coming months will reveal whether his exit is a mere tremor or the beginning of an earthquake within the ruling party.
Reference
UPDATED: El-Rufai Dumps APC, Joins SDP Amidst Deepening Party Crisis