Senator Shehu Sani has played down the significance of the recent defection of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai from the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming the move will not affect the ruling party’s fortunes in the upcoming 2027 elections.
El-Rufai, who served as the governor of Kaduna for two terms and was a founding member of the APC, left the party on Monday, announcing that he would join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His exit is seen as a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, but Senator Sani, who is also from Kaduna State, believes El-Rufai’s departure is of little consequence for the APC.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Senator Sani stated that El-Rufai’s political relevance had waned over time. He described El-Rufai’s exit from the APC as a “good riddance,” especially considering the former governor’s performance in Kaduna during his time in office.
“For those of us from Kaduna State, it’s a good riddance because he stands as a liability to the party in the state,” Sani said. He went on to back up his claim with statistics, highlighting how the APC had lost its grip on the state under El-Rufai’s leadership.
According to Sani, under El-Rufai’s tenure, the APC lost significant ground in Kaduna State, a key northern region. In the 2015 elections, the APC won two Senate seats in the state, but by 2023, the party had lost all senatorial zones to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“By the time he left office as governor, almost nine of the 14 House of Representatives seats in Kaduna State were won by the PDP, two by the Labour Party, and only three by the APC,” Sani pointed out. He also noted that during the 2023 presidential elections, the APC was defeated in Kaduna, further highlighting the party’s declining popularity in the state under El-Rufai’s leadership.
Sani’s assessment suggests that El-Rufai’s presence in the APC did little to boost the party’s chances in the state. On the contrary, his leadership may have contributed to the erosion of APC support. Sani’s comments reflect a broader sentiment that El-Rufai’s departure may not be as damaging as some have predicted.
In his statement explaining his defection, El-Rufai cited the APC’s abandonment of progressive values as the main reason for his decision to leave. El-Rufai, who played an instrumental role in the party’s establishment and its successes in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections, expressed frustration with the party’s direction, particularly after he was not screened for a ministerial role in the current administration.
“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 said.
The former governor’s shift to the SDP is seen by many as an attempt to align himself with a party that better represents his ideals. However, Sani’s comments suggest that while El-Rufai may have felt sidelined within the APC, his exit won’t have a lasting impact on the party’s prospects.
Sani also framed El-Rufai’s departure as an opportunity for the APC to regroup and rebuild in Kaduna State. According to him, the party had already lost significant support in the state before El-Rufai’s defection, so his exit will not worsen the situation.
“So, you can see that by the time he left, the party was already an unpopular platform in the state,” Sani said. “His exit now is an opportunity for the governor and party leaders of the state to embrace the people of the state and reconfigure and reset the party towards the next election.”
Sani’s comments suggest that the APC has the chance to reassess its strategy in Kaduna and other states, particularly in light of its poor performance in recent elections. With the departure of a prominent figure like El-Rufai, the party can now focus on rebuilding its base and reconnecting with the electorate.
Nasir El-Rufai’s defection is being closely watched, as he has been one of the most influential and controversial figures in Nigerian politics in recent years. As a former governor, he is known for his strong stance on reforms, as well as his sometimes combative approach to politics. His legacy is marked by a mix of achievements and controversies, with supporters praising his efforts to modernise Kaduna State and critics accusing him of alienating key groups within the state.
