El-Rufai’s former chief of staff Saidu joins APC — Premium Times Nigeria

In Nigeria, Bashir Saidu, the former chief of staff to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has moved from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to Premium Times Nigeria, he said he intends to mobilize supporters in backing of Governor Uba Sani ahead of the 2027 elections.

Statements about supporters

Saidu said he joined the APC together with a network of supporters, rather than on his own. He claimed that about 10,000 people joined the party with him.

He also promised to secure support for the APC in the 11 local government areas that make up the Zazzau Emirate. Saidu claims that 3,091 ADC members joined the APC in the Lere area, while groups of about 4,000 of his supporters are present in other areas. According to him, his political network operates not only in Zaria but also in the Igabi and Southern Kaduna areas.

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Return of El-Rufai’s associates

During El-Rufai’s eight-year rule in Kaduna State, Saidu served as finance commissioner and later as the governor’s chief of staff. He was among the politicians who had previously moved from the APC to the ADC together with El-Rufai.

Earlier in September, Saidu and other associates of the former governor announced their return to the APC and support for Uba Sani. Former commissioner Jafaru Sani said that this group would bring more than 150,000 registered ADC members to the APC.

ADC primaries

Tensions in El-Rufai’s political circle intensified after the May ADC primaries for the gubernatorial election. They were won by former House of Representatives member Isa Ashiru, who received 86,113 votes. Jafaru Sani came second with 29,580 votes, rejected the results, and alleged violations. Ashiru calls himself Uba Sani’s main rival in the 2027 Kaduna State gubernatorial election.