A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, comprising members of the El-Rufai Boys, Nasiriyya Youth Vanguard, former party candidates and aspirants, and party executives, has resigned from the party and declared support for Governor Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group, led by former ADC State Assembly candidate for Unguwan Sanusi Constituency, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Kasa, announced its decision in a statement delivered at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kaduna on Thursday.
The defectors also withdrew their support for the ADC governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, saying they had resolved to align with the APC under Uba Sani’s leadership.
Dan Kasa said the decision followed extensive consultations across Kaduna State’s three senatorial districts and involved more than 2,000 ward coordinators and grassroots mobilisers.
Explaining the reasons for the defection, he accused the leadership of the El-Rufai Youth Movement of failing to protect members and address what he described as their marginalization within the opposition camp.
He also alleged that the ADC denied qualified aspirants from the El-Rufai political camp party tickets during its candidate selection process.
According to him, the party leadership ignored recommendations reportedly submitted by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai for aspirants seeking the Kawo and Doka-Gabasawa State Assembly tickets.
The group further criticised Ashiru’s campaign, alleging that it had failed to produce a clear policy blueprint or manifesto despite seven months of political engagement.
Dan Kasa also accused some members of Ashiru’s campaign team of disparaging El-Rufai’s political legacy, despite relying on supporters from the former governor’s political camp for mobilisation and campaign activities.
He said grassroots supporters and ward coordinators were abandoned without adequate logistical support, security arrangements and welfare.
Explaining their decision to support Governor Uba Sani, the defectors cited what they described as his commitment to continuity, infrastructure development, political inclusion and social cohesion.
They commended the governor for continuing projects initiated by the previous administration, claiming that more than 80 per cent of critical urban and infrastructure projects had been completed.
The group also praised his administration for extending development projects and essential services to rural communities across the state’s 23 local government areas.
It further described Sani’s approach to governance as more accommodating of young people, arguing that his administration had provided opportunities for youth participation in governance and decision-making.
The defectors said their decision was driven by a preference for what they described as purposeful governance over what they characterised as an ineffective opposition platform.
In their final resolution, the group announced the dissolution of its political support structure within the ADC and its integration into the APC.
It pledged to deploy its grassroots network, mobilisation structures and digital platforms in support of Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
The group said its decision was aimed at strengthening the governor’s political support base and promoting continued development, peace and stability in Kaduna State.
The statement was signed by Dan Kasa on behalf of the El-Rufai Boys Vanguard, Nasiriyya Youth, former ADC candidates and aspirants, and party executives across the state.
Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
