Former political associates and grassroots allies of ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai have dismissed allegations of betrayal following their decision to leave his political camp and return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group, operating under the platform of Kaduna De-Initiative, said it was El-Rufai who departed from the political understanding that had united them over the years.

Members of the group stated that they had supported, campaigned for and defended the former governor while helping to build political structures across Kaduna State.

In a statement signed by former Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mukhtar Isa Hazo, and other political figures, the group announced its return to the APC following what it described as a reconciliation initiative led by Governor Uba Sani.

Among those associated with the realignment are former Kaduna State SDP Chairman Nasiru Abdullahi Maikano, former commissioners Ja’afaru Sani, Shehu Usman Makarfi and Abdu Kwari, as well as former Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Local Government and Finance, Bashir Saidu.

The group rejected claims that its members were merely disgruntled politicians seeking relevance, insisting that they had played significant roles in elections and political mobilisation across Kaduna’s 23 local government areas.

According to the former allies, tensions within the political camp began to emerge during El-Rufai’s second term in office, when some members felt increasingly excluded from decision-making processes. They also alleged that family interests gradually gained greater influence within the administration, weakening the broader political structure that had supported the government.

The group said relations further deteriorated after El-Rufai left office and worsened during political developments surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship primary. They alleged that the former governor backed Isa Ashiru instead of supporting figures within their political bloc.

Explaining their return to the APC, the group said the decision was driven by the need to take responsibility for their political future and that of their supporters. They pledged to work with the ruling party’s structures across Kaduna State ahead of future elections.

The development adds to recent political realignments in Kaduna State, where several former associates of El-Rufai have publicly declared support for Governor Uba Sani and the APC.