Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna governor, praised “unity and foresight” after the Social Democratic Party (SDP) structure merged into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He described the development as a “major realignment” in Kaduna’s political space. The announcement followed a high-level coalition meeting.
Darius Kurah, the coalition’s publicity secretary, confirmed that El-Rufai presided over the meeting, which united stakeholders from multiple parties.
The statement declared: “The entire Kaduna SDP structure officially collapsed into the ADC on Saturday, August 23, 2025.”
El-Rufai chaired the session. Attendees included ADC North-West Chairman Ja’afar Sani, Kaduna ADC Chairman Patrick Ambut, Bashir Saidu, SDP leaders, ex-commissioners, PDP representatives, and political stakeholders.
El-Rufai, one of the North’s most influential politicians, hailed the merger as a bold step toward building a stronger opposition.
“I commend the courage, wisdom, and foresight shown today. This is more than an alliance of parties, it is unity of purpose,” he said.
He stressed that Kaduna’s progress requires leaders to put aside personal interests and work for the greater good.
El-Rufai added: “The unity that brought us here will sustain us tomorrow. Politics must focus on service, not division. This coalition offers Kaduna people a credible, people-centred alternative.”
However, the Kaduna SDP dismissed his claims. State Chairman Adamu Idris branded El-Rufai’s statement “misleading and politically mischievous.”
He insisted the SDP remains united in Kaduna with no plan to join El-Rufai’s coalition. Idris accused the former governor of seeking to create division.
He said: “El-Rufai’s brief time in our party created crisis. Since his exit, peace has returned, and we are focused on credible opposition politics.”
Idris added that impostors were posing as SDP members to gain El-Rufai’s favour. “They lack any mandate to speak for our party. Members and the public should disregard them,” he warned.
