Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has issued a stark warning that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may attempt to "infiltrate and infest" the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following his recent defection.

El-Rufai, who was a founding member and stalwart of the APC, officially joined the SDP on March 10, 2025, citing the failure of both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to meet Nigerians' expectations.

In a recent interview, the former governor alleged that the APC has a pattern of destabilizing opposition parties by injecting "viruses" to create internal crises – a strategy he believes might be deployed against the SDP.

"So there has been an influx [of members], but as part of that influx, we also expect that the sitting government and ruling party will try to inject viruses into the party to create crisis — as it has done, or they have done, in the Labour Party, NNPP, and PDP," El-Rufai stated.

The former governor expressed satisfaction with the reception he has received since joining the SDP, noting that many Nigerians appear to be seeking alternatives to the two dominant political parties.

"Since I joined the Social Democratic Party on 10 March, I have been gratified by the reception of Nigerians and love expressed for the party," he remarked. "It seems clear to me that most Nigerians have lost hope in both the APC and PDP and are looking for a credible alternative."

According to El-Rufai, the SDP has taken preventive measures to safeguard against potential internal crises by implementing thorough vetting processes for leadership positions.

"We've worked hard to prevent crisis in the party by being thorough and carrying out due diligence with regards to those that will be entrusted with the leadership of the SDP," he explained.

El-Rufai's defection represents a significant shift in Nigeria's political landscape, as he was previously considered one of the influential figures within the ruling APC before his departure.

Political analysts suggest that his move to the SDP, along with his warnings about potential sabotage, indicates growing tensions within Nigeria's political sphere as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of future electoral contests.