The Kaduna chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will not lose sleep over the defection of the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai had on Monday announced his resignation from the APC to the SDP, expressing disappointment with the APC’s leadership style and accusing the leadership of the party of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members.
However, in its reaction, the Kaduna State chapter of the APC said in a statement that it will not lose sleep over El-Rufai’s defection to SDP. The state APC secretary, Yahaya Pate, said the party remained unperturbed by the defection of the former governor.
According to him, the party is focused on delivering Kaduna State to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in 2027. He expressed confidence in the party’s growing strength in Kaduna State, noting that the recent defection of high-profile politicians from opposition parties into the APC is an indication of its acceptability and popularity in the state.
“We are unperturbed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection to another party. Our focus in Kaduna is on how to deliver the state to both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani come 2027.
“The APC in Kaduna State is growing day by day, judging from the calibre of politicians streaming into the party daily. So, we are not disturbed by anybody defecting to another party based on our governor’s inclusive governance in Kaduna State. We are not disturbed and we are not going to lose sleep over El-Rufai’s moves”.
El-Rufai said his defection was over the party leaders’ unwillingness to address certain issues he had raised.
“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,” the former governor said.
“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development. These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years, I find this no longer acceptable.”
