Kaduna ADC Dismisses Division, Says El-Rufai’s Membership Must Follow Party Structures
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State has dismissed reports of internal division and denied claims that the state chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has collapsed into its structure under the influence of former governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The party issued the clarification following widespread media reports quoting one Darius Kurah, who claimed to be a spokesman announcing that the SDP had merged with the ADC coalition and that El-Rufai had been formally integrated into the party.
In a swift rebuttal, the ADC described Kurah’s statement as “false and misleading,” stressing that he is neither a member nor an official of the party.
The party leadership maintained that it does not recognize his pronouncements and warned against impersonation aimed at creating political confusion.
“The African Democratic Congress in Kaduna State has an established leadership and structure. Nobody outside it is authorized to speak for the party. The claims suggesting a merger with the SDP are baseless and should be disregarded,” the statement said.
The controversy followed reports that El-Rufai convened a meeting in Kaduna, where it was allegedly resolved that the SDP’s state structure would be absorbed into the ADC. While some of those present described the move as part of ongoing efforts to build a broader opposition coalition, the leadership of the SDP in Kaduna strongly refuted the claims.
The SDP, in its own statement, insisted the party remains intact and has not merged with any political group. It described the reports as “spurious, mischievous and politically motivated,” accusing unnamed actors of deliberately spreading misinformation to destabilize opposition parties in the state.
At the same time, some ADC stakeholders in Kaduna have expressed concerns over El-Rufai’s reported activities, accusing him of attempting to bypass party executives and hijack the party’s structure. They emphasized that any membership or coalition process must follow laid-down procedures and be ratified by the recognized leadership of the party across the 23 local government areas of the state.
El-Rufai, who left the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this year, has been at the center of political realignments aimed at consolidating opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections. While his supporters argue that his entry into opposition platforms could strengthen their chances, critics within both the ADC and SDP have warned that his methods risk causing more division than unity.
The unfolding development has now placed pressure on the ADC’s national leadership to clarify El-Rufai’s membership status and address the grievances of party stakeholders in Kaduna. For now, both the ADC and the SDP insist that their structures remain intact, with no official merger or absorption concluded.
