Hundreds of supporters of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alongside former candidates and executives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in support of Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.

The defectors, operating under the Coalition of El-Rufai Youth Groups, announced their resignation from the ADC on Thursday at the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

They also withdrew their support for the ADC governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, ahead of the 2027 elections.

The group comprises members of the El-Rufai Boys Vanguard, Nasiriyya Youth Movement, former ADC candidates, aspirants, youth mobilisers and party executives.

Speaking on behalf of the group, a former ADC House of Assembly candidate for Unguwan Sanusi Constituency, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Kasa, said the decision followed consultations across the three senatorial districts of Kaduna State.

He claimed that more than 2,000 ward coordinators, former candidates, aspirants, youth mobilisers and party executives were involved in the defection.

Why they left the ADC

Mr Dan Kasa attributed the decision to alleged internal divisions, marginalisation, denial of party tickets to preferred aspirants and what he described as the absence of a clear policy direction within the ADC.

He said their dissatisfaction deepened during the party’s candidate selection process, particularly over the alleged refusal to consider candidates recommended by El-Rufai for the Kawo and Doka Gabasawa State Assembly constituencies.

He also accused the leadership of the El-Rufai Youth Movement of failing to protect members from alleged mistreatment and neglect.

According to him, the group had supported Ashiru’s political campaign for seven months but had yet to see a clear manifesto or policy blueprint explaining how the candidate intended to address Kaduna State’s challenges.

Mr Dan Kasa further alleged that some members of Ashiru’s campaign team had criticised El-Rufai’s political legacy despite relying on his supporters for campaign mobilisation.

He added that grassroots coordinators were left without adequate logistics, security and welfare support.

Defectors declare support for Uba Sani

Explaining their decision to join the APC, Mr Dan Kasa praised Governor Sani’s administration, citing its commitment to infrastructure development, rural transformation and inclusive governance.

He particularly commended the governor for completing more than 80 per cent of critical urban and infrastructure projects initiated by the previous administration.

The group also praised Sani’s efforts to promote religious and ethnic harmony, develop rural communities and involve young people in governance.

“Politics without tangible governance is meaningless noise,” Mr Dan Kasa said.

He, however, maintained that their respect for El-Rufai remained intact, stressing that personal loyalty would not prevent them from making independent political decisions.

The defectors subsequently announced the dissolution of their political support structures within the ADC and their integration into the APC.

They also pledged to deploy their grassroots mobilisation and media networks in support of Sani’s administration.

ADC dismisses defection

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the ADC governorship candidate, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, dismissed the significance of the defection, describing it as part of the normal political process.

Mr Adubi said the party continued to receive new members, including people defecting from other political parties, at its state and campaign offices.

He maintained that the departure of a faction of the El-Rufai support group would not discourage the ADC or its governorship candidate.

“If one individual or a group of people decides to move from one political party to another, it is part of politics. We have more people defecting to the ADC, and we receive them at the state and campaign offices,” he said.

Mr Adubi insisted that the ADC remained firmly rooted in Kaduna State and expressed confidence in the party’s political presence ahead of the 2027 governorship election.