Mass Exodus Hits SDP as Former Candidates Join APC

Key figures of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), including its 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Eng. Yusuf Buhari, and Kano State governorship candidate, Bala Mohammed Gwagwarawa, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).  

The defection, which took place on Tuesday at the REIZ Continental Hotel, Abuja, also included Kano State Working Committee members of the SDP, 38 local government chairmen and secretaries, 13 former House of Assembly candidates, and six House of Representatives candidates.

The move was facilitated by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin (APC, Kano North), ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development affects former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently aligned with the SDP in preparation for the next election cycle.

Addressing the defectors, Senator Barau Jibrin said, “Those who thought they could use the SDP to challenge the APC in 2027 are witnessing the collapse of their plans. People have rejected the invitation to join them. Even some political figures rumored to be part of their movement, like former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, have distanced themselves.”

He added that the defection of key SDP members signaled the party’s decline.

Representing APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy National Chairman (South) Chief Emma Eneukwu described the transition as a move “from darkness to light.”

Former Kano State Governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya, dismissed El-Rufai’s move to the SDP, saying the party had already lost its influence before his arrival.

Eng. Yusuf Buhari, speaking on behalf of the defectors, cited President Tinubu’s achievements as their primary motivation for joining the APC.

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