Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai Officially Joins African Democratic Congress (ADC) to Bolster 2027 Opposition Coalition

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), confirming months of intense speculation regarding his political future outside of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The confirmation of the high-profile defection was revealed recently by the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, who disclosed the move during a national television program discussing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

El-Rufai, a well-known political heavyweight and founding member of the APC who served as a two-term governor under the party’s platform, has made one of the most significant political moves since the 2023 elections. His departure underscores the deep-seated political maneuvering currently unfolding across Nigeria’s political landscape.

New Coalition Against the Ruling Party

The move is strategically linked to the formation of a powerful new opposition coalition adopting the ADC platform. This coalition reportedly seeks to unify opposition forces, including prominent leaders like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to present a consolidated front against the ruling APC in 2027.

The involvement of a figure as politically active and structurally savvy as El-Rufai is expected to provide the ADC with immediate gravitas and organizational strength, particularly in the northern states where he holds considerable influence.

The ADC leadership has recently positioned the party as a unifying platform capable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the two dominant parties. El-Rufai’s presence, alongside other influential defectors, signals that the party is successfully attracting the critical mass needed to contest for power at the federal level in the next election cycle.