After months of speculations, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday, finally announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), just as he decamped to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
el-Rufai cited irreconcilable political differences with the current leadership of APC as his reasons for dumping APC.
The ex-governor, who was also a founding member of the APC, expressed his decision to dump the party in a letter of resignation submitted on Monday to the APC party ward office in Kaduna State.
He expressed his disappointment with the party’s direction in recent years, saying that the ruling party has lost focus and democratic principles.
According to him, “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,” he added.
Besides, el-Rufai highlighted his role in securing electoral victories for the APC in 2015, 2019, and 2023, while emphasising his commitment to advancing human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment in Kaduna State during his tenure as governor.
“At this point in my political journey, I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” el-Rufai said.
He expressed gratitude to his mentors, colleagues, and supporters for their counsel and announced his decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“As a member of the SDP, I am committed to fostering a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections,” el-Rufai stressed.
He then called upon all Nigerians concerned about the country’s future to join him in the SDP’s endeavour to elevate Nigeria as a beacon of pride for Africa and the Black Race.
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el-Rufai had fallen out with APC and other allies in Kaduna, when an investigative panel was instituted by the State House of Assembly, indicting him of allegedly siphoning State funds to the tune of N432 billion.
The decision by the National Assembly, not to clear him for ministerial appointment also fueled the political logjam between him and President Bola Tinubu.
AN aide to the APC national chairman, Okpokwu Ogenyi, however, said el-Rufai, is a featherweight, whose impact would not be felt in the coming 2027 elections.
Ogenyi, who is a special assistant to Ganduje on Civil Societies Organisations (CSOs) described el-Rufai as a political lightweight in the North. He also said el-Rufai’s exit would be of no impact on the fortunes of APC in the North.
According to him: “Was el-Rufai not a sitting governor in Kaduna state when we lost in Kaduna in the 2023 poll? So, what would then happen now that he is no longer in government? Since El Rufai left office, have you heard of anything like the Southern Kaduna killings? It is no longer there.”
He said without el-Rufai, the North-West would massively vote for the APC. Remember the speaker of the House of Representatives is from the North-West, the Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin is from the North-West and the national chairman is also from there.
The Guardian
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