Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has formally joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), declaring that his political choices are driven by loyalty to Nigeria rather than to individuals or political parties.
Speaking during a visit to Kano where he met Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and SDP leaders, El-Rufai explained that the country’s current challenges require a fresh political direction free from the dysfunction and godfatherism he said have marred both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Twelve years ago, we formed the APC and defeated an incumbent president, but today’s realities require a different approach,” he said. “We are uniting disaffected Nigerians under the SDP, which offers a platform built on fairness and internal democracy.”
El-Rufai dismissed suggestions that his move was fueled by political frustration, saying his focus was on Nigeria’s survival. “I’m 65. I could retire peacefully, but Nigeria faces an existential crisis. This is about the country’s survival, not personal gain,” he stated.
Advocating for competence over ethnic or regional considerations in leadership selection, he said, “Our problems are too severe to care where the next president comes from. We need someone with vision and capacity to fix Nigeria.”
On the recent wave of defections to the APC, El-Rufai said the SDP would concentrate on grassroots mobilisation rather than courting political elites. “A governor has one vote. Elections are won by the people, not politicians,” he said.
He emphasized that the SDP’s momentum was not limited to the North. “We’re quietly building across the South as well. Nation-building is grassroots work, not media shows,” he added.
Defending his history of internal criticism, El-Rufai cited his opposition to policies under former President Buhari, such as the naira redesign, as evidence of his principle-based politics. “When things began to go wrong under Buhari, I spoke up. I have never been loyal to individuals over the nation,” he said.
Calling on Nigerian youth to get involved in national rebuilding, El-Rufai said: “Nigeria gave me everything despite being an orphan at eight. We must not abandon it to corrupt politicians. It’s time to build a country where every child can aspire and succeed.”
