Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, finds himself at a critical political juncture after his recent switch to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) failed to gain momentum across the North-West.
On March 10, 2025, El-Rufai formally resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing a growing disconnect between his personal values and the party’s direction. In his resignation statement, he expressed his intention to unite opposition parties under a common front to challenge the APC in future elections.
“As a member of the SDP, I am committed to engaging with other opposition leaders and parties to form a united democratic platform that can compete in all elections and by-elections up to 2027, by the Grace of God,” El-Rufai declared.
However, two months later, these plans appear to have stalled. Despite holding numerous closed-door meetings and making significant outreach efforts, El-Rufai has yet to secure support from any major political figures in the North-West.
Presently, the SDP lacks a political structure in all North-West states—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
According to insiders, El-Rufai made several attempts to win over governors and top politicians in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Kebbi, but none proved successful. One source revealed that even senators like Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki from Kebbi rejected his overtures, opting instead to join the APC.
He also reportedly tried to persuade the Nasarawa State Governor to join the SDP, but that effort was equally unfruitful.
“None of his efforts yielded results. People don’t see the SDP under El-Rufai as a viable alternative,” a source familiar with the developments explained.
At the national level, the SDP has only two members in the National Assembly—Senator Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa North) and Hon. Abubakar Sarki Dahiru (Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency).
Despite this limited presence, El-Rufai had hoped to revive the party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 elections. But many in the North still associate the SDP with President Bola Tinubu, who contested a Senate seat under its banner in 1992. This lingering perception has bred skepticism and mistrust toward El-Rufai’s move.
“There’s a belief that El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP is either not genuine or part of a ploy to weaken the opposition. Many suspect he’s still aligned with Tinubu,” a Kaduna-based political insider shared.
Facing widespread political rejection, El-Rufai is reportedly becoming increasingly frustrated. With bridges behind him burnt and no clear path forward, his options are narrowing.
One source disclosed that former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar recently met with El-Rufai in Abuja and encouraged him to return to the PDP. However, El-Rufai allegedly urged Atiku instead to join the SDP, citing ongoing internal conflicts within the PDP—particularly due to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s influence.
The meeting ended without a resolution, leaving El-Rufai torn between pushing forward with his dwindling SDP efforts or returning to a fractured PDP.
“He’s in a tight spot. The SDP isn’t gaining traction, but returning to the APC is also complicated. He’s still weighing a possible return to the PDP,” the source said.
So far, the only public figure El-Rufai has been able to bring into the SDP fold is comedian MC Tagwaye, known for impersonating former President Muhammadu Buhari. While Tagwaye enjoys public recognition, his political significance is minimal.
“Convincing a comedian is no substitute for political heavyweights. It reflects how weak El-Rufai’s support base has become,” another observer remarked.
El-Rufai’s current political woes trace back to the alliance that helped the APC rise to power in 2015. Once a close ally of President Tinubu, he was instrumental in building northern support for Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid. However, their relationship soured after El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination was stalled, allegedly due to a negative security report from the Department of State Services (DSS).
That setback marked the beginning of his political isolation. “He felt betrayed, believing Tinubu failed to defend him,” a source from Kebbi revealed.
In southern Nigeria, El-Rufai’s image has also taken a hit due to his controversial religious remarks, especially his support for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023, which alienated many Christian voters.
“His stance during the last election created lingering resentment, particularly in Christian communities. That’s part of why his SDP movement isn’t resonating in the South either,” said Adamu Maiyama, an APC chieftain in Kebbi.
What once appeared to be a bold bid to lead a new political front now seems like a solitary and increasingly futile mission for El-Rufai.