Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, has officially resigned from the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

 In his resignation letter, submitted to his ward in Kaduna State on Monday, El-Rufai cited irreconcilable differences with the ruling party’s leadership as the primary reason for his departure.

In the letter, El-Rufai expressed frustration over the APC’s trajectory in recent years. “I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform,” he wrote.

“However, developments in the last two years have confirmed a troubling disregard for democratic principles and progressive values that I hold dear.”

A founding member of the APC, El-Rufai was instrumental in the party’s success in securing key electoral victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023. Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Kaduna, he highlighted achievements in human development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.

Despite these accomplishments, El-Rufai made it clear that the internal party dynamics and concerns about governance led to his decision to part ways with the APC. “At this point in my political journey, I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” he stated.

El-Rufai’s transition to the SDP was marked by a reaffirmation of his dedication to democratic principles. “As a member of the SDP, I am committed to fostering a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in upcoming elections,” he declared.

He encouraged Nigerians who share his concerns about the country’s future to join him in building the SDP as a strong, viable alternative. El-Rufai emphasized the importance of elevating Nigeria to become a beacon of pride for Africa and the global Black community.

The statement concluded with a call for unity and progress, pledging his continued efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic framework.