APC reacts to El-Rufai’s defection, says it loses no sleep

The Kaduna State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence that the party’s fortunes will remain unaffected despite the defection of former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Nasir El-Rufai had officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the party’s deviation from its founding ideals.

He had announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a statement shared on Facebook on Monday.

El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, lamented that the party had been hijacked by individuals who abandoned the progressive values that inspired its formation in 2013. He accused the current leadership of disregarding internal democracy and treating members with contempt.

However, he noted that developments in the past two years showed no willingness by the party’s current leadership to address its internal challenges.

He expressed disappointment that the APC had strayed from the principles of good governance, democracy, and development.

He called on Nigerians who believe in progressive governance to join him in the SDP, saying, “I, therefore, call on all our supporters and other persons concerned about our country’s future to join us in the SDP in the journey towards making Nigeria flourish as a beacon of pride for Africans and the Black Race.”

However, the Secretary of Kaduna APC, Yahaya Baba-Pate, in reaction to the defection, stated that the party remained unperturbed, emphasising its focus on securing victory for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in the 2027 elections.

He further asserted that the APC in the state continues to grow, citing the daily influx of high-profile politicians joining the party.

Baba-Pate reiterated that the party remains strong and will not lose sleep over El-Rufai’s move, maintaining confidence in its increasing support across the state.

He said, “We are unperturbed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection to another party. Our main focus in Kaduna is on how to deliver the state to both President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027.

“The APC in Kaduna State is growing day by day, judging from the calibre of politicians streaming into the party on a daily basis. So, we are not disturbed by anybody defecting to another party based on our governor’s inclusive governance in the state.

“We are not disturbed and we are not going to lose our sleep over El-rufai’s moves. The party in the state is growing more than before.”