In a fiery response to recent political developments, the Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the defection of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his former commissioner, Ja’afaru Sani, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), branding the event a “non-issue” that poses no threat to the ruling party’s dominance in the state.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, signed by the Kaduna APC Chairman, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (retd), and Secretary Yahaya Baba-Pate, the party took aim at the SDP, labelling its recent claims as “vituperations of political non-starters” who have “demystified themselves by pushing their luck too far.”
The APC further warned that by embracing El-Rufai into its fold, the SDP had effectively “sown the seed of its own destruction.” The party predicted internal discord within the SDP, hinting that El-Rufai would soon “throw a cat amongst the pigeons,” disrupting the party’s fragile unity.
“Nasir El-Rufai’s motivation for leaving APC is rooted in self-interest. He is driven by a desire to extract a political ‘pound of flesh’ from those he blames for his fall from political relevance,” the statement read, accusing the former governor of prioritizing personal vendettas over public service.
Rejecting allegations that El-Rufai’s departure has shaken the APC, the party reiterated its steadfast commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, and inclusive governance. It highlighted the fact that under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership, Kaduna State continues to enjoy a pro-people administration that welcomes contributions from all political stakeholders.
“The APC has continued to thrive in Kaduna State, with recent defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party bolstering our ranks. These developments underscore our appeal and strength as the dominant political force in the state,” the statement noted.
According to the party, notable figures from the National Assembly and the Kaduna State House of Assembly have recently joined the APC, further solidifying its grip on the political landscape of the state. The APC stressed that it is nearing political saturation in Kaduna and remains unbothered by “individuals running from pillar to post in search of political relevance.”
The party called on defectors and opposition figures to focus on self-reflection rather than attempting to undermine the ruling party. “Rather than desperately searching for who to pull down, they should engage in soul-searching and atone for their past misdeeds. In so doing, they will have peace,” the statement concluded.
This strong rebuttal follows claims by the SDP that the APC is unsettled by El-Rufai’s defection and is allegedly working to suppress opposition elements. However, the APC insists it remains laser-focused on governance and the development of Kaduna State, brushing off such claims as distractions from political “non-starters.”
As the political climate heats up in Kaduna, the APC has made it clear: El-Rufai’s exit is no cause for alarm—and any attempt to challenge their dominance is a battle the party is prepared to win.
