Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has ruled out the possibility of joining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that while he has no intention of defecting to the party, he might explore other options if the All Progressives Congress (APC) fails to address its internal challenges.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, El-Rufai dismissed speculations surrounding his political future and clarified that his recent engagements with politicians from other parties should not be misinterpreted as plans to leave the APC.
“It should be clear that the fact that I’m in the APC doesn’t mean that I cannot visit a friend of mine who is in the PDP or SDP. So anytime I visit anyone that is not in APC, they say, ‘Oh, he’s thinking of leaving the party.’ In fact, about two months ago, one character in Kaduna posted on his Facebook page that I’ve collected a PDP membership card in my ward. It was totally untrue.”
Addressing rumors about his alleged move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following his visit to the party’s national headquarters, he explained:
“When I visited my brother and friend Shehu Gabam at the SDP headquarters, they said, ‘Oh, he has joined the SDP.’ Again, not true.”
While reaffirming his loyalty to the APC, El-Rufai acknowledged that his future in the party depends on its ability to realign with its founding principles.
“I don’t know where I will end up if the APC doesn’t come back to where we started. But one thing I can tell you for sure is that PDP is not a party that I will go to, ever. I have thought about that. I’ve decided that long ago, and nothing has changed. In fact, if anything, PDP has gotten worse—rule out PDP.”
His remarks come amid growing speculation about his political realignment, fueled by reports of a recent meeting with PDP leaders in Kaduna. Confirming the meeting, the former governor stated that it was not politically motivated.
“I met with PDP leadership in Kaduna a couple of days ago. The state leadership of the party came to see me, and I will meet with them. You know, I’m a public figure in my state, and at my age, and based on the responsibilities I have held, I am a leader of some sort.”
El-Rufai also emphasized that his political engagements transcend party lines, urging people not to misinterpret such meetings.
“If people say they want to see me, I’m not going to say, ‘You are PDP, I won’t see you,’ or ‘You are SDP, I will only meet with APC people.’ It is my duty to meet with everyone. It is my duty to guide and mentor young people across partisan divides. So, I meet with people, but the moment I meet with everyone, everything is reduced to politics.”
While reaffirming his rejection of the PDP, he did not entirely dismiss the possibility of switching allegiances if the APC fails to address its internal issues.
“But PDP, no. Other parties, possibly, if the APC doesn’t sort itself out.”
