Politics
El-Rufai: Mass defection from APC Looming
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1741693065.jpeg&description=El-Rufai: Mass defection from APC Looming', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1741693065.jpeg&description=El-Rufai: Mass defection from APC Looming', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
More high-profile politicians have concluded plans to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, gave this hint on Monday in a chat with Trust TV while reacting to El-Rufai’s defection.
Gabam stated that El-Rufai’s move had triggered a wave of defections from Kaduna State, with more prominent figures from the ruling APC and other parties, as well as across backgrounds expected to follow suit.
While declining to reveal specific names, sources within the party suggest that former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola might also defect to the SDP.
El-Rufai had visited Aregbesola and a prominent cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare, in Lagos on Sunday. He had also met with former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar in recent days. These meetings have fuelled speculations that El-Rufai’s defection marks the beginning of broader political realignments.
However, Fayemi, in a statement yesterday, dismissed reports of his planned defection.
“My attention has been drawn to a story circulating on several online platforms regarding my defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC). As I have had cause to state in the past, I am a card-carrying foundation member of the APC, and this position has not changed,” he said.
He added, “While I have been at the vanguard of the demand for greater internal democracy and inclusion in the ruling party, I believe it is still not late for our party to change course and move towards greater inclusion and internal democracy.”
Meanwhile, Gabam reiterated that the ongoing defections to the SDP are part of a broader political shift aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring governance benefits reach the people.
Political observers have linked El-Rufai’s move to presidential ambitions, but Gabam insisted the SDP’s structure prioritises grassroots participation.
“The party’s philosophy is entrenched in grassroots democratic participation and aligns with the politics of endorsement. Every potential aspirant must go through the process from the grassroots level to prevent imposition,” he said.
He also dismissed suggestions of a merger with other parties, stating, “The SDP is not in alignment with the proponents of a merger of political parties. It is a recipe for chaos.”
Announcing his resignation from the APC in a statement on Monday titled “Onwards to the Future,” El-Rufai accused the party leadership of failing to address internal challenges.
“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. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and those of the APC will align up to the time I choose to retire from politics.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party,” he said.
He continued: “On my part, I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the capricious trajectory of the party. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish.
“Founders rightly feel attached towards institutions they helped create, but one must be pragmatic enough to admit when a divergence appears unbridgeable.
“I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform but recognise that the party has since strayed and left me stuck in the vision of its well-meaning founding fathers and mothers.”
El-Rufai further stated: “Today, the 10th of March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately.
“Subsequent to this, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists alike about the future, and have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”
He vowed to engage other opposition leaders to form a united front against the APC in upcoming elections, urging his supporters to join him in the SDP.
Ex-commissioners quit APC amid defection wave
Shortly after El-Rufai’s announcement, two of his former commissioners in Kaduna State—Hafsat Mohammed Baba, ex-commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, and Jafaru Sani, former commissioner for Education and Local Government Affairs—resigned from the APC.
Their resignation letters cited various reasons for leaving the party, but they have yet to indicate their next political move. However, sources speculate they will likely join El-Rufai in the SDP.
The APC was yet to react to El-Rufai’s defection and the reasons he cited as of the time of filing this report. Efforts to get a response from the party’s spokesman, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful.
However, Shehu Sani, in a reaction to the defection, said “leaving APC for SDP wouldn’t make any difference for someone with no political relevance again.”
He, however, said “one thing is sure, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu And Governor Uba Sani will be voted again” in 2027.
“Elrufai out of alleged fears of the unknown, officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP),” Sani said.
He also claimed that his return and those of other prominent politicians in the State such as Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi; Senator Danjuma Laah, Former Governor Ramalan Yero, and others to APC unsettled Elrufai.
Meanwhile, Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s presidential candidate in the last election, welcomed El-Rufai’s defection.
“With the hardworking and sagacious Malam joining our ranks; an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity.
“Now is the time for us to put our collective shoulders behind the efforts to fulfil Chapter 2 of the Constitution and rescue Nigerians from bad governance and underdevelopment to restore #HopeAgain 2027 to the suffering masses,” he said.
Similarly, SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, said El-Rufai’s defection signals an influx of more high-profile politicians into the party.
Daily Trust
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he will concede defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is free, fair and credible.
Obi made the declaration during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, insisting that he would respect the choice of Nigerians if they opted for another candidate.
“If the election is free, fair and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve, and I will respect the will of the people; that’s democracy,” he said.
However, the former Anambra State governor maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, insisting that those who conducted the poll were aware of what transpired.
“I did, and I will maintain that as long as I live that I won the 2023 election. Those who conducted it know the records; they know why there was a glitch and what happened,” Obi said.
‘Presidency Must Not Be About Tribe, Religion’
Addressing the argument that Nigeria’s presidency should operate on a “turn-by-turn” basis among regions, Obi said electoral choices should be based on competence rather than ethnicity or religion.
He argued that he possesses the qualifications and experience required to lead the country, adding that his exposure to institutions and systems around the world had prepared him for the presidency.
“Election should not be driven by tribe or religion. Today, in terms of qualification, I’m qualified to be president of Nigeria. I have the competence,” he said.
Obi also highlighted his educational background, citing studies at institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Columbia and Kellogg.
He challenged anyone with evidence questioning the authenticity of his qualifications to come forward, saying he would withdraw from the presidential race if any of his certificates were proven to be false.
“If they find anyone wrong, I will drop from the race,” he said.
Obi Questions Lack of Youth Representation
The NDC candidate also criticised what he described as the prolonged absence of younger Nigerians from the presidency since independence.
According to Obi, no Nigerian born after 1960 has served as president despite the country’s large youthful population.
“Since 1960, nobody born outside 1960 has been president of Nigeria. This is 66 years of independence; no other country in the world has had this happen to, and they tell youths they’re the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
Women from Taraba Central have thrown their weight behind Senator Haruna Manu, Governor Agbu Kefas, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was made at a gathering in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, led by the women’s leader, Hon. Rose Somaliya.
Speaking at the event, Somaliya said the APC administration had made significant progress in addressing development challenges across the country, arguing that the party’s leaders deserved continued support ahead of the 2027 polls.
She said the women were backing the APC candidates because of what she described as visible development initiatives and the need for continuity in governance.
Representing Senator Haruna Manu, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Muslim Aruwa, thanked the women for their support and confidence in the APC leadership.
Aruwa highlighted what he described as Senator Manu’s developmental contributions to Taraba Central, as well as Governor Kefas’ efforts across the state.
He urged the women to sustain their support and mobilisation as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
Politics
2027: “You Cannot Stop Us From Entering Your States” — Kwankwaso Warns Governors, Says Nigeria Is Bigger Than Any Election
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, 2027 vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned governors against attempting to prevent him and other opposition leaders from entering their states to campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso said governors who believe they can stop opposition candidates from visiting their states are making a serious mistake, stressing that political leaders should not use their positions to restrict legitimate political activities.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate said Nigeria must remain bigger than any election or administration, suggesting that political contests should not be allowed to undermine the country’s unity or democratic process.
His comments come as the NDC intensifies its political activities and outreach ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party seeking support across different parts of the country.
Kwankwaso, who is running alongside Peter Obi on the NDC ticket, has in recent weeks been involved in political consultations and engagements across northern states as the opposition party builds its campaign structure.
The former Kano State governor said attempts by state governors to restrict opposition movements would not stop the party from engaging Nigerians and presenting its political message across the country.
He stressed that every political party and candidate should be given the opportunity to meet voters, explain their programmes and seek support without unnecessary restrictions or intimidation.
Kwankwaso’s warning adds to growing political tension ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties increasingly challenging the influence of incumbent governors and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across the states.
Northern Leaders Seek Unity As Almajiri, Insecurity Threaten Region
‘I Don’t Want to Return to Nigeria’ — Chimamanda Adichie Speaks After Son’s Death
Break-Up Fears Grip UK as Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Leaders Plot New Constitutional Front
-
News14 hours agoPCN Seals 797 Drug Outlets, Shuts Kano Illegal Medicine Cluster
-
News14 hours agoINEC Unveils Final List Of Presidential Candidates For 2027 Election
-
News14 hours agoYou Can’t Insist You Won 2023 Election After Supreme Court Gave Final Ruling’ – Tinubu Presidency Tackles Peter Obi
-
News19 hours agoFULL LIST: INEC Names 18 Presidential Candidates for 2027 Election
-
News14 hours agoBosun Tijani Withdraws From ITU Deputy Secretary-General Race
-
News14 hours agoSanwo-Olu Explains Delay In Opening Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge
-
Metro14 hours agoUK Prosecutors Confirm Poco Lee Still Due In Court Over Sexual Offence Charges
-
News9 hours ago2027: Peter Obi Launches Four-Year Reform Plan
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login