Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), months after his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
El-Rufai registered with the ADC and received his membership card at the party office in Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna State. He was accompanied by a large group of loyal supporters, including former appointees and local government chairmen.
Addressing party officials and supporters, including ADC Vice Chairman (North West) Hon. Jafaru Sani and National Membership Secretary Senator Sadiq Yar’adua, El-Rufai said:
“Mr. Peter Obi and I pleaded with the ADC coalition to allow us conclude the pending by-elections before officially joining the ADC. Now that the elections are over, we have no reason to remain in the SDP or Labour Party. The same way we removed PDP in 2015 is how we will remove this incompetent APC in 2027.”
He added that the SDP had refused to accommodate the coalition leadership because some of its leaders were allegedly compromised, but the ADC accepted the coalition’s terms.
El-Rufai also encouraged Kaduna residents aged 18 and above to register with the ADC. He expressed confidence that the party would replicate the success of 2015, when he played a key role in removing the then-dominant PDP from power.
“The APC-led government in Kaduna has failed to deliver on its promises and has acted with impunity. We helped bring them to power, and it is now our responsibility to ensure they are held accountable,” he said.
The event carried symbolic significance as El-Rufai received membership number 000002, following the coalition Vice National Chairman North West, who received 000001.
El-Rufai had resigned from the APC on March 10, citing a growing mismatch between his values and the party’s direction. In his resignation letter, he criticized the party for abandoning its founding ideals and ignoring his repeated warnings about its course over the last two years.
El-Rufai was instrumental in the 2013 merger of opposition parties that created the APC.