In response to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and his bid to mobilize opposition against the current administration, the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have downplayed the move, dismissing it as an impractical ambition bound to fail.
El-Rufai, who officially announced his resignation from the APC on Monday, cited irreconcilable differences with the party leadership, accusing it of deviating from its founding principles. He vowed to rally opposition leaders under a unified platform to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.
However, presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala criticized the former governor’s political maneuver, arguing that aligning with opposition figures did not constitute a genuine ideological shift but rather an act of desperation. Similarly, the Kaduna APC insisted that El-Rufai’s exit would not affect the party’s growing influence in the state, asserting confidence in its ability to secure victory for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in the next election cycle.
More Read
El-Rufai’s political activities in recent months, including meetings with key opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar and visits to influential political figures, suggest strategic positioning ahead of 2027. While his defection has sparked discussions within political circles, the APC remains unfazed, viewing it as inconsequential to its long-term objectives.
