Former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai is facing a difficult political journey just months after his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His hopes of building a strong alternative force against the ruling party are now under serious doubt as he struggles to gain support across the North-West.
El-Rufai announced his exit from the APC on March 10, 2025, citing differences between his personal values and the direction of the party. Soon after, he joined the SDP and declared his intention to rally other opposition parties to challenge the APC in the 2027 general elections.
“Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027, by the Grace of God,” he stated.
Despite this bold promise, the expected wave of political support has not materialized. After several private meetings and outreach attempts, El-Rufai has failed to bring any major North-West political figures into the SDP fold. The party currently has no functioning political structure in key states such as Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
Sources say El-Rufai approached influential governors and legislators from these areas, including well-known senators in Kebbi State, but all turned down his proposal. Instead, some of them chose to align or return to the APC. One insider said, “He reached out to key players, especially governors and sitting senators and reps, but none gave him a positive response. Not even a state assembly member.”
His attempt to convince the Nasarawa State Governor also ended in failure. “All his attempts failed. This is because people simply don’t see the SDP led by El-Rufai as a viable alternative at this point,” another source noted.
Currently, the SDP has only two lawmakers in the National Assembly: Senator Godiya Akwashiki and Hon. Abubakar Sarki Dahiru, both from Nasarawa. With such a weak presence, El-Rufai’s dream of leading a powerful opposition seems far-fetched for now.
Adding to his troubles is the public suspicion surrounding his motives. Many in the North still associate the SDP with President Tinubu’s early political career, causing doubts about whether El-Rufai has truly left the APC’s shadow. “There’s a perception that El-Rufai’s move to the SDP is not genuine, that it’s a plot to fracture the opposition or that he’s still in Tinubu’s camp somehow,” a Kaduna insider said.
El-Rufai’s efforts have so far only attracted MC Tagwaye, a comedian known for imitating former President Buhari. While popular in entertainment circles, his political weight is considered minimal. “Convincing a comedian is not the same as convincing political leaders. It shows how bad things are,” a source commented.
Meanwhile, there are signs of internal conflict as well. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reportedly advised El-Rufai to return to the PDP during a recent meeting in Abuja. However, El-Rufai declined and instead invited Atiku to join the SDP, saying the PDP is in disarray and struggling under the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
With few options left, El-Rufai appears to be stuck between returning to a troubled PDP, staying isolated in the SDP, or reconsidering ties with the APC. “He’s boxed in. Moving forward with the SDP feels like pushing a dead horse,” said a source close to the former governor.
In the South, El-Rufai continues to face criticism for his past remarks during the 2023 election campaign. His strong backing of the Muslim-Muslim ticket left a bitter taste among Christian communities, making it harder for him to win support beyond the North.
