Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has commended what he described as a remarkable show of unity and foresight following the official collapse of the Social Democratic Party structure into the African Democratic Congress in Kaduna State.
The political shift, regarded as a significant realignment in the state’s political landscape, was formalised during a high-level coalition meeting held on Saturday in Kaduna.
The meeting brought together stakeholders and political figures from various backgrounds, and was presided over by El-Rufai.
In a statement released on Sunday by the coalition’s Publicity Secretary, Darius Kurah, El-Rufai praised the move as a major step toward building a formidable political front ahead of future elections.
“I must commend the courage, wisdom and foresight demonstrated here today. What we are witnessing is not just an alliance of party structures, but a unity of purpose,” El-Rufai stated.
He emphasized the importance of prioritising collective interests over personal ambitions for the progress of Kaduna State.
“The spirit of unity that has brought us here today is what will sustain us tomorrow. Politics should not be about division but about collective service to our people. We must continue to consolidate this coalition and provide the people of Kaduna State with an alternative that is credible, people-centred and truly progressive,” he added.
Also speaking at the meeting, ADC Vice Chairman (North West), Ja’afar Mohammed Sani, lauded the SDP leadership for prioritising public interest in their decision to merge with the ADC.
“This is a new dawn for Kaduna politics. The courage of the SDP leadership to align with the ADC shows vision and determination to provide credible alternatives to our people. We are not just gathering for the sake of politics, but to restore hope and confidence in governance,” he said.
Echoing the same sentiment, ADC State Chairman, Elder Patrick Ambut, assured new members of full integration into the party’s structure.
“This is not about old or new members. From today, we are one family with a shared destiny. Everyone will have a role to play as we prepare for the challenges ahead,” Ambut declared.
Mallam Bashir Saidu, a prominent ADC leader in Kaduna, stressed that the coalition was more than a structural merger.
“This is a convergence of ideologies committed to service, transparency and development. We are building a platform that reflects the true aspirations of the people,” he noted.
As part of the resolutions reached at the coalition meeting, the ADC National Working Committee has approved the formation of a Membership Registration Committee. The committee is tasked with collaborating with the state, local government, and ward structures to commence a fresh membership registration and revalidation exercise across Kaduna State.
Kurah stated that the exercise would solidify the merger and ensure the party is well-prepared for upcoming elections.
“The revalidation exercise will not only consolidate the merger but also position the ADC as a strong, united and people-driven party in Kaduna State,” the statement concluded.
