Former Kaduna State Governor and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir El-Rufai, has resigned from the ruling party and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In a statement released on March 10, 2025, El-Rufai expressed disappointment with the APC's current direction, stating that the party has deviated from its founding principles. He emphasized that his decision followed extensive consultations with mentors, colleagues, and supporters. 

El-Rufai highlighted his contributions to the APC's electoral successes in 2015, 2019, and 2023, as well as his tenure as Kaduna State governor, during which he implemented policies focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment. However, he lamented that the party has "castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years," making his continued association with the APC untenable. 

In joining the SDP, El-Rufai aims to pursue progressive values and has called on supporters and concerned Nigerians to unite under the SDP to challenge the APC in future elections, including the 2027 general elections. 

This move comes after months of speculation regarding El-Rufai's political future, especially following his unsuccessful ministerial nomination in 2023 due to security concerns raised by the Department of State Services.