Former allies of Nasir El-Rufai reject betrayal claims and return to APC

Former political allies and grassroots supporters of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai have rejected claims of betrayal following their decision to part ways with him. Operating under the name Kaduna De-Initiative, the group—which includes former commissioners, political appointees, and former legislative leaders—asserted that they were political partners rather than ‘political property’ and maintained the right to determine their own political futures.

The group stated that their relationship with El-Rufai became strained after his 2019 re-election due to perceived marginalization and the growing influence of the former governor’s family in government affairs. They argued that they did not abandon El-Rufai, but rather believed he had abandoned the political understanding that originally bound them together.

Following a reconciliation initiative by Governor Uba Sani, the group announced its return to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Key members involved in this realignment include former Deputy Speaker Mukhtar Isa Hazo, former SDP chairman Nasiru Abdullahi Maikano, and former commissioners Ja’afaru Sani, Dr. Shehu Usman Makarfi, Bashir Saidu, and Senator Abdu Kwari.