Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has hailed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for collapsing their structures in Kaduna for a united party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former All Progressives Congress member described the move as “a spirit of unity and foresight” in a statement issued by the Coalition Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah on Sunday.
This followed a high-level coalition meeting convened on Saturday in Kaduna, which was presided over by El-Rufai. The meeting brought together key stakeholders and political leaders across party lines.
The statement said, “In a landmark political development, the entire structure of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Kaduna State Chapter has officially collapsed into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a strategic coalition meeting held on Saturday, August 23, 2025.”
It added that the historic gathering, chaired by El-Rufai, had in attendance Ja’afar Mohammed Sani, ADC Vice Chairman (North West); Elder Patrick Ambut, ADC State Chairman; Mallam Bashir Saidu, ADC Leader in Kaduna State; members of the SDP State Working Committee; former commissioners; political stakeholders; and representatives from the Peoples Democratic Party.
In his opening remarks, El-Rufai, who is widely seen as one of the major political influencers in the North, hailed the merger as a bold step toward building a formidable front ahead of future political contests.
“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,” he said.
According to him, Kaduna State could only achieve progressive governance and inclusive development when political leaders put aside narrow interests and work together for the greater good.
He added, “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.”
ADC Vice Chairman (North West), Ja’afar Mohammed Sani, praised the leadership of the SDP for “putting the people first” and embracing a bigger political platform.
“This is a new dawn for Kaduna politics. 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 State Chairman, Elder Patrick Ambut, formally welcomed the defectors into what he called “the ADC family,” promising that the new members would be fully integrated into all structures and activities of the party.
“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 said.
ADC leader in Kaduna State, Mallam Bashir Saidu, added that the coalition represented more than a political merger.
“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 stated.
One of the major resolutions of the meeting was the immediate constitution of a Membership Registration Committee by the ADC National Working Committee.
According to the statement, the committee would work with the state, local government, and ward structures to begin fresh membership registration and revalidation exercises across Kaduna State.
Kurah explained that the move was aimed at strengthening the ADC’s grassroots base and ensuring organisational readiness ahead of future elections.
“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 statement said.
