A wave of resignations has struck the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State following the departure of former governor Nasir El-Rufai from the party.
Multiple resignation letters obtained by DAILY POST on Monday indicate that numerous party members, particularly El-Rufai’s loyalists, are exiting the ruling party en masse.
The exodus comes just hours after El-Rufai publicly announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Similarly, several former commissioners who served under his administration have also resigned from the APC.
Among them, former Commissioner for Local Government Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani and former Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed Baba submitted their resignation letters to their respective ward chairmen on Monday.
The resignation of Sani reads in parts, “With the hatred and disdain shown to us by the leadership of the party we worked hard to nurture, it has become compelling to seek another platform in our desire to bring development and prosperity to our dear people.
“Consequently, after a deep retrospection, re-evaluation, and consultation with key stakeholders in Anchau, Kubau LGA, and Kaduna State, I write to inform you of my decision to withdraw my membership from the APC with immediate effect.
“As I move on, I remain grateful to you and to all members of the APC, as well as the electorates in the Ward, Kubau Local Government Area, and the State for the support rendered to me as Chairman of the APC Stakeholders, Kubau LGA. I recall with a feeling of fulfillment the unprecedented electoral victories the party recorded in previous general elections in the ward and the local government area. The historic feat will remain indelible in the history of party politics in the local government area.
“Accept the assurances of my regards at all times.
“Enclosed herewith is my temporary membership registration card for your Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani necessary action”.
Also, the letter from Hafsat Baba partly reads: “The Chairman may note that I came into the negotiations to form the APC as the incumbent, and hence, legacy National Woman Leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria. We joined the merger to entrench democratic order and justice to the political space in the country which was in dire need of a new political and governing direction.
“However, the party has lost its sense of direction and purpose and has deviated from its founding principles of justice, peace and unity. As an ardent proponent and follower of these principles, continued association with the party as it is currently constituted is against my principles (Aqida).
“Further actions and political decisions will follow as myself and like-minds deem appropriate and as may keep us on our founding – and still extant- principles of Justice and Political order”.
However, reacting, Kaduna APC said it was not losing sleep over El-Rufai’s defection.
