Former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), vowing to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

El-Rufai made the declaration while formally registering as an ADC member, framing the move as part of a broader coalition strategy ahead of the next general elections.

He revealed that he and former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi had initially requested the coalition to allow them to remain in their respective parties—the Labour Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP)—until the conclusion of pending by-elections and out-of-season elections.

“Accordingly, Mr. Peter and I requested the indulgence of the coalition to remain in our respective parties until these elections were concluded,” El-Rufai said.

El-Rufai added that with all elections now concluded, there was no reason to stay in the LP or SDP. He expressed confidence in the coalition’s ability to repeat the 2015 experience, which saw the defeat of the PDP administration.

During the registration event, attended by ADC national vice chairman Northwest Hon. Jafaru Sani, membership secretary Senator Sadik Erada, and other senior party officials, El-Rufai thanked those who facilitated his enrollment.

He explained his journey from the APC to the SDP before joining the ADC:

“When I left the APC in March 2025, I joined the SDP hoping it would accommodate the coalition leadership. Unfortunately, some leaders had been compromised and the party refused. Happily, the ADC agreed to the coalition’s terms, and on July 2, we adopted ADC as our platform.”

El-Rufai criticized the current Kaduna State government, accusing its leadership of corruption and mismanagement, and urged residents to join the ADC, register to vote, and prepare for the 2027 elections.

“I call on all people of Kaduna State who know what we achieved during our eight years in office to mass register with the ADC and get their permanent voter cards. It’s time to vote out this incompetent cast of people pretending to govern,” he said.