Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has confirmed his decision to leave the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Labour Party, stating that he and former presidential candidate Peter Obi had earlier appealed to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition to allow them conclude ongoing by-elections before formalising their entry into the party.
El-Rufai made the remarks while announcing his official move to join the ADC. According to him, the conclusion of the by-elections means there is no further reason for him or Obi to remain in their previous political platforms.
“Mr. Peter Obi and I pleaded with the ADC coalition to allow us conclude the pending by-elections before officially joining the ADC. Now that the elections are over, we have no reason to remain in the SDP or Labour Party. The same way we removed PDP in 2015 is how we will remove this incompetent APC in 2027.”
— El-Rufai
The former governor suggested that the 2027 general elections could replicate the 2015 political shift that saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) sweep the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of power. He criticised the current APC administration, describing it as “incompetent” and vowed that the ADC coalition would work collectively to bring about a similar change in Nigeria’s political leadership.
El-Rufai’s defection and his political alignment with Peter Obi under the ADC coalition signal a potential reshaping of alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, adding new dynamics to Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
