I left APC to build ‘godfatherism-free’ political alternative – El-Rufai

A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress is based on the need to build a platform free from godfatherism and internal dysfunction.

El-Rufai, who made the remarks while answering questions from newsmen in Kano on Monday, noted that Nigeria needs a credible political alternative to rescue it from its current existential threats.

“These anomalies (godfatherism and internal dysfunction) destroyed the All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic Party,” he said.

El-Rufai said he was in the ancient city of Kano to visit the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and to meet with SDP leaders to strategise on building a strong grassroots political movement in the state.

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“Kano is critical to any serious political formation because of its consistently high voter turnout. After joining the SDP, it was important to come and engage with relevant stakeholders here,” he said.

On why he left the All Progressives Congress, a party he helped to form, the former Kaduna State Governor said the political realities in Nigeria had changed.

“Twelve years ago, we merged three major parties to form the APC and defeated an incumbent president. But now, the goal is different.

“We are bringing together disaffected members across political divides under an existing platform — the SDP — which we believe has the best pedigree and potential,” he said.

According to him, the SDP offers a fresh opportunity, being a platform not controlled by any individual.

“We saw how godfatherism destroyed the PDP and is now wrecking the APC. Nigerians deserve a party built on fairness, internal democracy, and equal opportunity. The SDP can be that alternative,” he maintained.

Speaking on the contentious debate about rotational presidency, El-Rufai said that while he previously advocated for a power shift to the South, Nigeria’s challenges now demand that competence and leadership capacity, not geography, should determine who leads.

“Our problems are too severe to care about where the next president comes from. We need someone with vision and the ability to fix Nigeria’s fundamental issues,” he said.

El-Rufai, who confirmed that there are ongoing coalition talks involving five major political groups aimed at forming a strong opposition movement under the SDP, dismissed the belief that the SDP is a northern movement.