Shockwaves In Nigerian Politics As El-Rufai’s Defection Splits Leaders

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has sparked fresh political speculations, with analysts predicting a possible alliance with a southern candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

El-Rufai attributed his departure to the APC’s lack of internal democracy, but political stakeholders remain divided on the significance of his move for the opposition.

Reacting to the defection, Suleiman Abdul-Aziz, a member of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), dismissed it as a self-serving maneuver rather than a genuine push for national interest.

“As northern leaders, we view this move critically, recognizing it not just as a shift in party affiliation but as an attempt to manipulate the region’s political consciousness. El-Rufai has, at times, disparaged northern leaders, yet he now seeks to rally them,” Abdul-Aziz told Vanguard.

He criticized El-Rufai’s past remarks about northern leadership, accusing him of hypocrisy as he now tries to position himself as a champion of the region’s interests. Aligning with the SDP, Abdul-Aziz argued, might be an effort to present himself as a bridge between the North and South, appealing to voters disillusioned with the APC’s internal crises.

“El-Rufai’s defection is not just a personal decision—it has wider implications. However, northern constituents are discerning and skeptical of leaders who have marginalized them in the past,” he added, pointing to El-Rufai’s controversial rhetoric and policies as potential obstacles to his political ambitions.

Meanwhile, the Igbo National Council (INC) dismissed the defection as inconsequential, stating that it was motivated by personal interests rather than a genuine opposition stance.

INC President, Chilos Godsent, told Sunday Vanguard, “El-Rufai is not an opposition figure; he is merely an aggrieved APC member. His defection carries no weight—it’s not about governance or reshaping Nigeria’s political ideology, but personal interests.”