Several former ministers who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari are preparing to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) and join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
A senator from the ninth National Assembly, who spoke anonymously to PUNCH, revealed that at least ten former cabinet members are expected to switch parties.
“What they’re waiting for is the finalization of the party structure in their respective states,” the source noted.
Among those reportedly leading the move are former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, ex-Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, and former Senate President Ahmed Lawan.
Former Kaduna State governor and longtime Buhari ally, Nasir El-Rufai, recently made the first move by formally joining the SDP. He attributed his decision to a growing disconnect between his political beliefs and the direction the APC has taken.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that those who currently control and run the APC do not desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation,” El-Rufai stated.
He also disclosed that he consulted Buhari before leaving the APC.
“I left the APC with his (Buhari’s) full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave the party because I involve and consult with him on all my matters,” he said.
Following El-Rufai’s exit, other key figures have begun making similar moves. Former Senator Ahmad Kaita and several former commissioners from Kaduna State, including Ibrahim Hussaini (Agriculture), Aisha Dikko (Justice), Amina Baloni (Health), and Halima Lawal (Education), have all defected to the SDP.
El-Rufai’s departure appears to have triggered a wider defection wave, particularly among members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a political faction that merged into the APC in 2013. Prominent politicians from the North, many of whom were originally part of CPC, are reportedly considering leaving the ruling party.
Former APC Publicity Secretary in Borno State, Abdulaziz Galadima, confirmed his defection to SDP, stating that the APC has strayed from its founding principles.
“Many original CPC members would leave the APC for SDP or another party,” he noted.
Other influential politicians rumored to be part of the coalition movement include former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun). Additionally, former Senate President David Mark and ex-APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun are also linked to the coalition.
A chieftain of the APC in Imo State confirmed that many prominent members are planning to leave the party.
“That some ministers who served under Buhari are leaving or will leave the APC is confirmed. However, they may not join the SDP, but I know they are part of the coalition movement,” he said.
He added that APC’s internal struggles and President Bola Tinubu’s handling of party affairs have fueled dissatisfaction.
“President Tinubu has mismanaged the success of our party, and it is painful that things are going awry every day. APC bigwigs, both in the North and South, are not happy, and the President doesn’t care. The CPC bloc of the party has also been leaving,” he noted.
Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development Solomon Dalung, who left the APC for the SDP in 2022, confirmed ongoing discussions among politicians.
“We are in discussions with many people across the country, including former ministers and senators,” he said.
Dalung also criticized President Tinubu’s leadership style and accused him of sidelining Buhari.
“This problem Tinubu found himself in is self-inflicted. It is caused by his ego. He is an egoistic personality who sees himself as an emperor. He thinks he has conquered Nigeria,” Dalung stated.
Meanwhile, sources close to former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola revealed that he has been invited to join the SDP. However, his media adviser declined to comment, stating that the former minister’s political direction will be made public at the right time.
