Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant political development just months after resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party he once helped strengthen and shape during his tenure in office.
El-Rufai formalized his registration at the ADC office located in U/Sarki Ward, Kaduna State, where he received his official membership card in a ceremony attended by loyal supporters, including former appointees from his administration, local government chairmen, and political allies who have backed his political journey over the years. The event underscored his continued influence and political relevance within Kaduna State and beyond.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory left the APC on March 10, citing a growing disconnect between his personal values and the trajectory of the ruling party. His departure came after years of internal disagreements over the party’s direction, policy priorities, and governance style under the current leadership, which he felt had strayed from the founding progressive principles of the APC.
In his resignation letter, El-Rufai criticized APC leadership for abandoning the progressive ideals that originally defined the party and attracted him to its ranks. He lamented that the party’s leadership had failed to address structural and ideological challenges, resulting in an unhealthy environment that he could no longer reconcile with his vision for public service and governance.
“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 wrote in the letter, adding that his repeated warnings—both in private meetings and public statements—about the party’s declining trajectory were ignored, leaving him with little choice but to step away and explore alternative political platforms aligned with his values.
With this official move to the ADC, political analysts and observers believe El-Rufai is strategically positioning himself for a new chapter in Nigerian politics, particularly as the 2027 elections draw nearer. His entry into a different political party is likely to recalibrate alliances, reshape power dynamics, and influence political calculations both within Kaduna State and at the national level.
El-Rufai’s defection to the ADC is expected to trigger fresh political alignments and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, as politicians and stakeholders assess the implications of his new affiliation. His move may inspire other influential figures dissatisfied with the APC’s current trajectory to consider alternative platforms, potentially altering the political landscape ahead of critical elections. Analysts note that this development could also heighten speculation about the strategies and alliances the ADC may pursue as it seeks to expand its influence and impact on Nigeria’s broader political stage in the coming years.