In a significant political realignment ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has officially registered with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The prominent politician formally joined the opposition party on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at his Unguwar Sarki ward in Kaduna State.
El-Rufai's Political Homecoming
The registration ceremony witnessed substantial political activity as El-Rufai arrived with numerous political associates and former appointees from his tenure as governor. Senior ADC officials, including the party's Vice Chairperson for the North-West, Jafaru Sani, and National Membership Secretary, Sadiq Yar'adua, presided over the event where El-Rufai received his membership card bearing the significant number 000002.
During his address at the ceremony, El-Rufai revealed that his decision to join the ADC came after negotiations with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) collapsed. "I'm a bona fide member of the African Democratic Congress," he declared confidently. "The SDP would not agree to open up to the coalition leadership because the government has bribed and compromised some of the leaders. However, the ADC agreed to the terms and conditions of the coalition leadership."
Strategic Move for 2027 Elections
El-Rufai emphasized the urgency of his registration, noting that he received notification for the ceremony at 6 p.m. the previous day and managed to attend by 4 p.m. on Thursday. He immediately called for mass mobilization of supporters, urging all citizens of Kaduna State aged 18 years and above to register with the African Democratic Congress as election preparations intensify.
The former governor expressed strong confidence in the ADC-led coalition's ability to replicate the historic 2015 electoral victory that unseated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration. "By the grace of God, we are going to repeat what we did in 2015, when we got rid of the incompetent, thieving and corrupt PDP administration," he asserted during his speech.
ADC Leadership Welcomes High-Profile Defection
ADC officials enthusiastically welcomed El-Rufai's membership, describing it as a major boost to the party's political strength in Northern Nigeria. National Membership Secretary Sadiq Yar'adua stated that the former governor's entry would "energize the coalition and strengthen the party's structures ahead of the coming elections."
The registration numbers assigned during the ceremony highlighted the significance of the event, with the coalition's Vice National Chairman for the North-West receiving card number 000001, making them the first official registrants in Kaduna State under this new political arrangement.
This move represents another chapter in El-Rufai's dynamic political career, which began under the PDP where he served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He later became instrumental in forming the All Progressives Congress (APC) coalition that defeated President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
El-Rufai's transition to the ADC follows the Senate's rejection of his ministerial nomination earlier this year and positions him as a potential kingmaker or contender in the rapidly evolving political landscape leading to the 2027 elections.
