“The All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed the significance of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s recent move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), asserting it poses no threat to the party or President Bola Tinubu. El-Rufai’s announcement on Monday that he was joining the SDP, coupled with his stated intention to unite opposition forces against the APC in the 2027 general elections, has been met with skepticism from within the ruling party. El-Rufai had publicly declared, “I will concentrate on engaging with and persuading other opposition figures and parties to join us, forming a united democratic front to challenge the APC in all elections and by-elections.”
However, both the presidency and the APC have dismissed El-Rufai’s ambitions, characterizing his efforts as driven by “an unrealistic desire for power that is destined to fail.” Speaking to reporters, Ijeomah Arodiogbu, the APC’s National Vice Chairman for the South-East, described El-Rufai as “politically diminished.”
He argued that the APC in Kaduna would not feel the absence of the former governor, and neither would President Tinubu’s administration. “El-Rufai has alienated numerous individuals across various sectors, rendering him politically isolated. The Christian community, in particular, will require significant time to reconcile with his controversial statements following President Tinubu’s presidential victory,” Arodiogbu stated.
Adding his perspective, Adebayo Shittu, a former Minister of Communications and APC stalwart, maintained that El-Rufai’s departure from the APC was a misstep.
He emphasized that despite initial challenges faced by the Tinubu administration, notably the removal of fuel subsidies, the government’s support base is expanding. “We are witnessing a surge in individuals joining the APC from the PDP and Labour Party. El-Rufai’s defection will not impede the party’s progress or President Tinubu’s re-election prospects,” Shittu asserted.
He further noted that many of El-Rufai’s former supporters, dissatisfied with his actions, are now joining the APC in Kaduna. Shittu expressed optimism that President Tinubu would secure a second term, particularly in key regions such as Lagos, Kaduna, and parts of the East, where the APC experienced setbacks in the 2023 elections. He stated, “The current administration in Kaduna is performing well and bolstering support for President Tinubu. Progress is evident, and we are hopeful that divine guidance will enable the President to make decisions that benefit the nation.”
