Senator Shehu Sani on Monday mocked former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai’s move to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, saying it would not alter the political landscape of the Kaduna state.
The former Kaduna Central senator in the 8th National Assembly noted that El-Rufai’s political relevance and influence had waned.
Sani’s remarks come after El-Rufai announced his defection from the ruling All Progressives Party to the SDP.
El-Rufai on Monday announced his defection from the APC to the opposition SDP, vowing to mobilise against the APC government in 2027.
“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 by-elections,” El-Rufai stated.
El-Rufai, citing irreconcilable differences with the APC leadership, expressed disappointment in the ruling party for straying from its progressive principles over the past two years.
He cited his previous efforts to address internal issues privately and publicly, which he felt were ignored, leading him to seek an alternative platform that aligns with his values.
In a resignation letter submitted to his ward in Kaduna State and shared on his X account, El-Rufai stated, “As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress, I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC.
“Since 2013, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the APC will continue to align until I choose to retire from politics.
“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.
“I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the party’s capricious trajectory.
“Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform to pursue the progressive values I cherish.
“Founders rightly feel attached towards institutions they helped create, but one must be pragmatic enough to admit when a divergence appears unbridgeable.”
He added, “I have diligently served the APC and made my contributions to its viability as a political platform, but I recognise that the party has since strayed and left me stuck in the vision of its well-meaning founding fathers and mothers.
“As a loyal party man, I worked to help secure the APC’s election victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023. I was one of the many governors elected on the party’s platform in 2015 and 2019 that stood for certain democratic and progressive principles to advance nation-building.”
El-Rufai confirmed he had submitted his resignation letter to the APC and further explained that after consulting with his mentors, colleagues, and supporters, he decided to join the SDP in preparation for the 2027 general election.
“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 said.
Speaking on El-Rufai’s defection, Sani declared, “Leaving APC for SDP wouldn’t make any difference for someone with no political relevance again.”
Sani also expressed the assurance that both President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani would secure re-election in 2027.
“But one thing is sure: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani will be voted again,” he said.
