NASIR el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna state, says, “Kano is critical of any serious political formation because of its consistently high voter turnout”.
The former leader of Kaduna said this while he visited the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, at his palace on Monday.
El-Rufai recently quit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He believes Nigeria urgently needs a better political option to solve its major problems.
“Kano is critical to any serious political formation because of its consistently high voter turnout,” he said.
After switching to the SDP, El-Rufai felt it was important to talk with key people in Kano. He explained that 12 years ago, they combined three big parties to form the APC and beat a sitting president.
“Now, they have a different goal – bringing together unhappy members from various political parties under the SDP, which he thinks has the best history and chance of success.
El-Rufai joined the SDP to help create a better political option free from powerful behind-the-scenes controllers. He feels this kind of control has damaged both the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“We have seen 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 said.
While he once supported letting southern Nigerians lead, El-Rufai now thinks Nigeria’s urgent problems mean they need to focus on skills and good leadership rather than where leaders come from.
When asked about politicians jumping to the APC, including Delta’s governor Sheriff Oborevwori, El-Rufai said he isn’t worried. He believes regular citizens, not politicians, decide elections. The SDP is focusing on connecting with everyday Nigerians instead of chasing famous politicians.
“A governor only has one vote. Elections are won by the people, not by politicians. Our focus is on mobilising ordinary Nigerians, not chasing high-profile defections,” he said.
El-Rufai explained that they seem active in the north because they’re currently in Kano, but he has been meeting leaders in Lagos, Anambra, and southern states too. He believes building the nation happens in communities, not through news coverage, and results will show up when the time is right.
He mentioned that five major political groups are talking about forming a strong opposition under the SDP. It’s meant to be a movement for all disappointed Nigerians. Progress is happening, though he had to move faster in Kaduna because many of his political friends needed a party quickly.
The former governor said his political choices have always put Nigeria first, not individuals or parties. When problems started under President Buhari, he wrote warning letters. When the currency redesign policy hurt citizens, he fought it in court, even though it came from his own APC government.
El-Rufai urged young Nigerians to stay hopeful and join their movement for a better future.