Former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, has downplayed the significance of Nasir El-Rufai’s recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Sani described El-Rufai’s move as inconsequential, stating that the former Kaduna State governor no longer holds any political relevance.
El-Rufai, who recently resigned from the APC, cited the SDP as a more suitable platform for his future political engagements. However, Shehu Sani, in a telephone interview with DAILY POST, dismissed the defection, attributing it to El-Rufai’s “fear of the unknown.” He insisted that the move would have no impact on the political landscape, as El-Rufai no longer wields significant influence.
“El-Rufai’s defection is of no consequence. He no longer holds any political relevance,” Sani stated.
The remarks come just weeks after Shehu Sani, alongside other prominent Kaduna politicians such as Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Senator Danjuma Laah, and former Governor Ramalan Yero, returned to the APC. During their return, Sani reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Governor Uba Sani’s re-election in 2027.
El-Rufai’s defection has sparked mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a strategic move to reposition himself ahead of the 2027 general elections, while others, like Shehu Sani, see it as a sign of declining influence.
As political realignments continue to shape Nigeria’s political landscape, the focus remains on how these developments will impact the fortunes of the APC, SDP, and other parties in the upcoming elections.