- Adebayo welcomed Nasir El-Rufai to the SDP, describing his entry as a ‘moment of renewed hope for Nigeria’ and a step towards better governance
- El-Rufai’s defection from the APC is seen as a critique of the party’s handling of national issues, particularly poverty and insecurity
- The SDP, under Adebayo, aims to position itself as a strong alternative to the APC and PDP, advocating for clean and ethical politics ahead of the 2027 elections
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.
His defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was confirmed on Monday, March 10, and his move is seen as a strategic alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The announcement was celebrated by Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, who welcomed El-Rufai with open arms.
Adebayo described the former governor’s entrance as a "moment of renewed hope for Nigeria," declaring it a key step in the SDP’s mission to restore good governance and tackle issues of poverty and insecurity.
“On behalf of the teeming members of the @TheSDPNg and patriotic democrats who believe in Nigeria and her promise of inevitable greatness, I heartily welcome my dear brother @elrufai to our party," Adebayo wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.
Adebayo further emphasised that El-Rufai’s vast experience in governance would be a valuable asset to the party.
“With the hardworking and sagacious Mallam joining our ranks, an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity,” he said.
The SDP presidential candidate also reiterated the importance of fulfilling Nigeria’s constitutional promises regarding fundamental human rights, social justice, and economic development.
He urged all genuine democrats to join the party’s cause, stressing that “good politics begets good governance.”
“There is no time to waste. Join us on the March Again! God bless Nigeria,” Adebayo concluded.
El-Rufai, who served as both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and as Governor of Kaduna State, brings a wealth of political experience to the SDP.
His defection from the APC is widely seen as a critique of the party’s handling of national issues, particularly regarding governance and the economy.
Political analysts are already speculating that El-Rufai’s move could trigger a wave of defections to the SDP, as disillusionment with both the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) continues to grow.
The SDP, known for its progressive ideals and commitment to ethical governance, is now positioning itself as a strong alternative to the current political establishment.
Adebayo also took a swipe at both the APC and the PDP, calling their years in governance “the locust years” and reaffirming the SDP’s commitment to clean, ethical politics as the foundation for Nigeria’s revival.
With El-Rufai’s realignment, the SDP aims to become a major political force as the countdown to the 2027 elections begins.
The party’s "Hope Again" campaign hopes to capture the imagination of Nigerians seeking change and a fresh start.
El-Rufai slams MDAs for frivolous spending on vehicles, utensils
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Bello El-Rufai, a federal lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, had strongly criticised Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for their continuous refusal to reduce their budgets, accusing them of wasting public funds on frivolous items such as utensils and vehicles.
In a video which went viral on social media on Friday, December 20, Bello, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to prioritise budget reductions for MDAs.
