KANO Former Governor of Kaduna State and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has officially announced his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), declaring that the time has come for Nigerians to reclaim political power from entrenched elites.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kano on Monday, El-Rufai emphasised that political power belongs to the electorate and not a few politicians, as he criticised recent defections into the APC as lacking substance.
“A governor only has one vote. Elections are won by the people, not by politicians,” he stated.
According to him, his decision to join the SDP is driven by a desire to support the emergence of a political platform devoid of godfatherism, elite capture, and internal crises that have continued to undermine democratic governance in Nigeria.
“Nigeria urgently needs a credible political alternative. This is not about personal ambition I’m 65, I’ve served as minister and governor. This is about rescuing Nigeria from existential threats,” El-Rufai said.
He further noted that while he played a pivotal role in the formation of the APC in 2013, the political climate has shifted significantly, prompting the need for a new coalition with the capacity to rescue the country.
“Twelve years ago, we merged parties to defeat an incumbent. Today, the goal is different. We are bringing together disaffected Nigerians under a platform with better prospects the SDP,” he declared.
Describing the SDP as a platform for reform-minded Nigerians, El-Rufai said the party represents a clean break from the culture of political godfatherism that has plagued both the PDP and the APC.
“We’ve seen how godfatherism destroyed the PDP and is now wrecking the APC. Nigerians deserve a party built on fairness and internal democracy,” he stressed.
The former governor, who visited the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as part of his grassroots mobilisation tour, insisted that his defection is not borne out of frustration but out of patriotic duty.
“I could retire comfortably. But I believe Nigeria is in crisis. This is a national rescue mission, not a personal crusade,” he said.
On the controversial issue of zoning and power rotation, El-Rufai said while he had previously supported power shift, Nigeria’s dire situation demands competence over sectional sentiment.
“Our problems are too severe to be reduced to geography. We need leaders who can fix Nigeria, regardless of where they come from,” he noted.
El-Rufai dismissed recent high-profile defections into the APC, describing them as “media spectacles” with minimal electoral impact.
“We’re not chasing high-profile names. We’re mobilising everyday Nigerians. You’ll see the results when the time comes,” he said.
He also disclosed that talks are ongoing among five major political blocs to form a unified force under the SDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Progress is steady. In Kaduna, I had to move faster because our structure needed a platform immediately,” he revealed.
Defending his consistent criticism of the APC despite being a founding member, El-Rufai reiterated that his loyalty lies with the Nigerian people, not any political party.
“Even under Buhari, I raised concerns and challenged bad policies. I sued over the naira redesign because it hurt Nigerians. I will always put country before party,” he concluded.