El-Rufai’s political bloc, SDP suffers setback as women leader resigns

The planned merger between the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, reportedly being coordinated by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has suffered a setback following the resignation of the SDP Women Leader in Kaduna State, Hajiya Zainab Sani.

Zainab, a known grassroots mobiliser from Giwa Local Government Area and former Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during El-Rufai’s administration, announced her resignation on Thursday.

In her statement, she said she could no longer remain in a party that, according to her, had lost touch with the people and was being driven by elite political interests.

Political observers described her exit as a major blow to the proposed SDP–ADC alliance, noting her influence among women and youth groups across rural areas of the state.

Zainab’s departure comes amid ongoing talks between SDP and ADC to form a third political force ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts say her resignation could alter the emerging political alignments in Kaduna.

Sources indicated that she may soon return to the APC with thousands of her supporters from the northern and central parts of the state, a move seen as strengthening Governor Uba Sani’s growing grassroots influence.

Observers also view her decision as a reflection of waning confidence in El-Rufai’s merger initiative and a shift in Kaduna’s politics toward more people-centered engagement.