El-Rufai Hails Kaduna SDP-ADC Merger As Fresh Political Realignment

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has applauded what he described as a bold act of “unity and foresight” following the formal collapse of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) structure in Kaduna State into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The development, announced on Saturday during a high-level coalition meeting in Kaduna, is seen by analysts as one of the most significant political realignments in northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Coalition Meeting

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the coalition’s Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah, the meeting was presided over by El-Rufai and brought together top political leaders, party executives, and grassroots stakeholders.

In his remarks, the former governor hailed the defection as a progressive step towards building a formidable front capable of challenging dominant political structures.

“I must commend the courage, wisdom and foresight demonstrated here today. What we are witnessing is not just an alliance of party structures, but a unity of purpose,” El-Rufai said.

He further stressed that Kaduna could only achieve inclusive development when leaders placed collective interests above personal ambitions.

“The spirit of unity that has brought us here today is what will sustain us tomorrow. Politics should not be about division but about collective service to our people. We must continue to consolidate this coalition and provide the people of Kaduna State with an alternative that is credible, people-centred and truly progressive,” El-Rufai added.

ADC Leaders Welcome SDP Defectors

ADC leaders at the meeting described the defection as a “new dawn” for Kaduna politics.

ADC Vice Chairman (North West), Ja’afar Mohammed Sani, praised the SDP leadership for prioritising the interests of the people.

“The courage of the SDP leadership to align with the ADC shows vision and determination to provide credible alternatives to our people. We are not just gathering for the sake of politics, but to restore hope and confidence in governance,” he said.

Similarly, ADC Kaduna State Chairman, Elder Patrick Ambut, assured defectors that they would be fully integrated into the party’s structures.

“This is not about old or new members. From today, we are one family with a shared destiny. Everyone will have a role to play as we prepare for the challenges ahead,” Ambut declared.

ADC leader in Kaduna, Mallam Bashir Saidu, went further to emphasize that the coalition was more than just a merger of structures.

“This is a convergence of ideologies committed to service, transparency and development. We are building a platform that reflects the true aspirations of the people,” he said.

Resolutions and Next Steps

One of the key resolutions of the meeting was the constitution of a Membership Registration Committee by the ADC’s National Working Committee (NWC).

According to Kurah, the committee will work with state, local government, and ward executives to begin fresh membership registration and revalidation across Kaduna State.

“The revalidation exercise will not only consolidate the merger but also position the ADC as a strong, united and people-driven party in Kaduna State,” the coalition’s statement said.

This grassroots revalidation process is expected to strengthen the ADC’s organisational capacity and improve its readiness for the 2027 electoral contests.

Political Significance of the Merger

The defection of an entire state structure from the SDP to ADC underscores the shifting alliances shaping Nigeria’s political environment.

In Kaduna, a politically strategic state often considered a bellwether for northern politics, the merger could alter the balance of power. Analysts believe that El-Rufai’s involvement in presiding over the coalition signals the seriousness of the realignment.

Political analyst, Dr. Hassan Musa of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, noted:

“This merger highlights the growing appetite for alternative platforms outside the APC and PDP. With influential figures like El-Rufai throwing their weight behind coalitions, smaller parties may emerge as decisive players in the 2027 elections.”

National and Continental Context

The Kaduna merger is part of a broader national trend of defections and coalitions as Nigeria’s democracy matures. The dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been repeatedly challenged by smaller parties seeking to present themselves as credible alternatives.

Globally, Nigeria’s shifting political alliances mirror similar realignments across Africa. In Kenya, Zambia, and Senegal, opposition coalitions have succeeded in breaking the monopoly of long-standing dominant parties by uniting smaller factions under a common front.

A recent report by the African Centre for Strategic Studies noted that coalition-building and mergers are increasingly becoming effective strategies for opposition groups in Africa to compete with entrenched ruling parties.

Implications for Kaduna’s Voters

For voters in Kaduna, the merger signals the possibility of a more competitive political environment ahead of 2027. Residents who have expressed fatigue over “politics of recycling” may now see a coalition offering fresh perspectives.

Civil society groups in Kaduna have also welcomed the merger, urging the ADC-led coalition to prioritize issues such as:

• Security: Addressing banditry and kidnapping that have plagued the state.

• Education: Expanding access to quality schools, particularly in rural areas.

• Youth empowerment: Creating jobs and skills opportunities for Kaduna’s large youth population.

• Inclusive governance: Ensuring women and minority groups have representation.

• Conclusion

  The merger of Kaduna’s SDP structure into the ADC, presided over by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, marks a turning point in the state’s political trajectory. By emphasizing unity, inclusiveness, and collective service, the coalition hopes to reshape Kaduna’s governance and position itself as a credible alternative to the APC and PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.

  Whether this alliance can translate its early momentum into electoral victory will depend on how effectively it consolidates at the grassroots and addresses the real concerns of ordinary citizens. For now, Kaduna politics has entered a new chapter.