Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

There have been a lot of political discussions and complaints since former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Although he stated that his main motivation was disenchantment with the APC, party members, opposition leaders, and political analysts have had differing opinions.

The reasons behind El-Rufai’s defection

El-Rufai declared his departure from the APC on March 10, 2025, claiming the party had strayed from its original ideals and had turned into an intolerance for internal democracy.

He charged that the leadership was ignoring members and not keeping the pledges that got them into office.

El-Rufai also hinted at engaging other opposition members to establish a stronger coalition ahead of future elections.

The reaction of APC

El-Rufai’s defection was rejected by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a sign of political desperation.

Felix Morka, the party’s national publicity secretary, called his accusations “emotionally driven” and implied that his complaints were a result of his failed bid to become a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

El-Rufai’s decision to join the SDP, according to Morka, was driven more by personal goals than by ideological ties.

Reactions that are mixed inside the SDP

Within the SDP, not everyone has embraced El-Rufai’s admission.

While some officials fear his presence could cause the party to become unstable, others view him as a crucial political figure.

His membership was denied by the SDP Youths and Supporters Coalition, who claimed that his leadership style was anti-democratic.

Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s 2023 presidential contender, similarly cited El-Rufai’s political flaws while acknowledging his strengths.

Fears of his defection

Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada, a former PDP candidate for state legislature, also blasted El-Rufai’s action, claiming it was driven more by personal annoyance at his waning power within the APC than by a desire to improve the lot of the average citizen.

“I don’t think El-Rufai joined the SDP for the sake of the masses; rather, he did so because he no longer has a future in the APC. This is the same man who insisted that power must return to the South, even though such a requirement is not written in the constitution. Leadership is about justice, regardless of where one comes from. If Tinubu had given him a ministerial appointment, why didn’t he reject it? This is just noise after defeat. He started attacking Tinubu’s government only because his political ambitions could no longer be realized in the APC, and PDP was not an option for him,” he told ZINGTIE.

Tudunwada went on to voice his skepticism about El-Rufai’s motivations for assembling an opposition coalition, implying that his objective was to amass political leaders for his own gain rather than actually creating a powerful rival to the ruling APC.

“El-Rufai is not the one to follow. I also support an opposition alliance, but not the kind he wants—where people are only rallying behind him because he knows exactly what he is doing,” he added.

Political realignment speculation

Rumors of more political changes have been stoked by El-Rufai’s defection.

Shehu Musa Gabam, the national chairman of the SDP, made a suggestion that additional politicians would defect from the APC to the party. Although Fayemi has rejected any intentions to leave the APC, names like former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi have been brought up.

Political allies’ worries

Some others, even in his own inner circle, think El-Rufai’s defection was too soon.

El-Rufai’s close supporter and former APC National Vice-Chairman (North West), Salihu Lukman, contended that the action could jeopardize attempts to forge a wide opposition coalition in front of the 2027 elections.

El-Rufai ought to have been more patient before taking such a severe step, according to Lukman.

There are still arguments on both sides of El-Rufai’s switch to the SDP.

Although he presents himself as a leader who supports opposition unity and good governance, his detractors contend that his actions are motivated more by political survival and personal grudges than by a sincere dedication to democratic ideals.

It is unclear if his defection would help him or the opposition as a whole, but it could have an impact on future political alliances as Nigeria prepares for another election cycle.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.