According to a report by Viable TV on Friday, August 15, 2025, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai has publicly endorsed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the upcoming bye-elections for Zaria and Sabongari local government constituencies, a move that has sparked political debate and confusion among voters.
In a recorded message shared ahead of Saturday’s polls from 1:03, El-Rufai urged residents of the affected constituencies to turn out in large numbers to support SDP candidates.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, your former governor of Kaduna State. I am making this message to appeal to all our voters, in Zaria and Sabongari local governments, to come out massively on Saturday to vote for the candidates of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, the party with the symbol of the white horse, white stallion, for the Zaria Kiwaye State Assembly constituency and Basawa constituency in Sabongari local government,” El-Rufai said.
He named the party’s flagbearers as “Nuhu Abdullahi Sada of the Social Democratic Party” for Zaria Kiwaye and “Ambala Usman of the Social Democratic Party” for Basawa.
El-Rufai concluded his appeal by reiterating: “Please come out and vote massively for these two candidates. Thank you.”
The endorsement has raised eyebrows among political observers, given the presence of African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidates in the same race. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that voting will take place on Saturday across designated polling units, with security agencies deployed to ensure a peaceful process, as reported by Punch.
