Setback for El-Rufai’s SDP-ADC merger plan as influential women leader, Zainab Sani resigns from SDP

From: By Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The political landscape in Kaduna has been shaken by the resignation of Hajia Zainab Sani, the Women Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state. Analysts consider this a significant setback for the proposed merger between the SDP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Zainab, a prominent grassroots mobilizer from Giwa Local Government Area, has long been regarded as one of the most influential female political figures in Kaduna.

A former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), she played a crucial role in mobilizing women during several of the party’s electoral victories before defecting to the SDP, where she became one of El-Rufai’s trusted political allies.

In announcing her resignation, Zainab stated that she could no longer stay in a party that, in her view, “has lost touch with the people” and is “driven more by elite political interests than by the realities faced by the masses.”

“The SDP has failed to demonstrate a people-first agenda,” she remarked. “Our people are still grappling with poverty, insecurity, and hunger.

Many in Kaduna have not forgotten the anti-people policies of the last administration, and I will not be part of any arrangement that seeks to repackage that legacy under a different banner.”

Her comments were seen as a direct criticism of El-Rufai’s administration, which implemented controversial policies, including mass demolitions and sackings, and faced backlash from labor and community groups.

Zainab’s exit comes at a time when Governor Uba Sani is strengthening his image as a people-oriented leader through pro-poor policies, empowerment programs, and rural development initiatives that have garnered him widespread grassroots support.

Analysts suggest that her resignation could reshape political alliances in Kaduna, especially as the SDP struggles to maintain relevance amidst discussions of a merger with the ADC aimed at forming a third political force ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Zainab’s departure is not just symbolic; it’s strategic. She commands significant influence among women and youth across rural Kaduna. Losing her is a substantial blow to the El-Rufai camp and raises questions about the credibility of the proposed SDP-ADC coalition,” one political commentator noted.

While Zainab has not yet revealed her next political move, insider sources indicate that she has made arrangements to return to the APC with over 5,000 women from the northern and central parts of the state.

If confirmed, her defection would significantly enhance Governor Uba Sani’s governance efforts and solidify his influence in grassroots politics across Kaduna.

Observers believe her decision reflects a broader shift in Kaduna’s political alignment, moving away from elite-driven agendas to more issue-based and people-centered engagement.

Many see this as a sign of declining enthusiasm for El-Rufai’s new political experiment, even among his long-time supporters.

As a local analyst put it, “Zainab Sani’s resignation may mark the first crack in El-Rufai’s merger plans and could be the clearest indication that Kaduna’s grassroots politics is shifting towards empathy, inclusion, and real impact.”