More Governors, Lawmakers Set to Join Us – SDP Chairman

There are indications that more politicians, including governors and lawmakers, are set to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following the exit of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from the All Progressives Congress (APC).  

The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, revealed this, stating that El-Rufai’s defection has sparked interest from politicians across party lines.

“El-Rufai’s move has ignited a political shift. More prominent figures from the ruling APC and other parties are expected to follow suit,” Gabam said.

While he declined to mention specific names, sources within the party suggest that former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola might also be considering joining the SDP.

El-Rufai has been meeting key political figures, fueling speculation about a broader realignment. On Sunday, he visited Aregbesola and Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos. He also recently met with former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, adding to the speculation.

However, Fayemi, in a statement, dismissed reports of his planned defection.

“My attention has been drawn to a story circulating on several online platforms regarding my defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC). As I have had cause to state in the past, I am a card-carrying foundation member of the APC, and this position has not changed,” Fayemi said.

He added, “While I have been at the vanguard of the demand for greater internal democracy and inclusion in the ruling party, I believe it is still not late for our party to change course and move towards greater inclusion and internal democracy.”

Gabam said the ongoing defections to the SDP are part of a broader movement aimed at strengthening democracy and ensuring governance that prioritizes the people.

“The party’s philosophy is entrenched in grassroots democratic participation and aligns with the politics of endorsement. Every potential aspirant must go through the process from the grassroots level to prevent imposition,” he said.

He dismissed any possibility of a merger with other parties, saying, “The SDP is not in alignment with the proponents of a merger of political parties. It is a recipe for chaos.”

In his resignation statement titled *“Onwards to the Future,”* El-Rufai accused the APC leadership of failing to address internal challenges.

“As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and those of the APC will align up to the time I choose to retire from politics,” he said.

He continued: “Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party.”

Declaring his decision to seek a new political platform, he added “On my part, I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the capricious trajectory of the party. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish.”

El-Rufai resigned from the APC on March 10, 2025, and announced his move to the SDP.

“Today, the 10th of March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Subsequent to this, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues, and loyalists alike about the future, and have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”

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