By Ismaeel Aleem
In a major political shift, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai on Thursday received hundreds of youths from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The defectors, led by PDP Kaduna State Youth Leader Aliyu Bello, described the move as a “youth revolution” aimed at reshaping the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
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The event in Kaduna was marked by celebration, as El-Rufai commended the group for rejecting “empty promises” and embracing what he called a vision of progress and inclusivity.
“This is not just a defection; it is a movement for a better future,” he declared, urging the youths to remain steadfast in building a people-driven political force.
He reiterated the ADC’s mission to restore dignity, hope, and prosperity to both Kaduna and Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Bello stressed their resolve to empower young people and curb political thuggery.
“We are here to work with leaders like El-Rufai who prioritise credible leadership and youth inclusion,” he said, adding that the ADC’s policy of reserving 50% of party positions for youths and 35% for women aligned with their aspirations.
El-Rufai, who has ruled out personal political ambitions for 2027, emphasised his commitment to mentoring young leaders.
“I am not contesting for any position. My goal is to support reform-minded Nigerians to take ownership of the political process,” he said, while accusing the current administration of “daily lies” and governance failures.
He also urged eligible voters in Kaduna to register, noting the state’s poor registration numbers compared with Lagos and Osun.
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The ADC, strengthened by this mass defection, is positioning itself as a formidable coalition.
The move builds on El-Rufai’s earlier effort to merge the Kaduna SDP structure into the party, underscoring the ADC’s growing influence ahead of 2027.
