A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that former President Muhammad Buhari was aware of his decision to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, defected to the Social Democratic Party on Monday, citing an unhealthy situation in the party.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service on Wednesday, the former governor said he met with the former president on Friday, March 7 and informed him about his plan to leave the ruling party.
He said, “I left the APC with his full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave the party, because I involve and consult with him on all my matters.”
Responding to the question of having any political godfather, El-Rufai said, “I have those I consult with in everything I do. I inform them of anything I intend to do, and when they demand that I keep off, I do.
“My first godfather is Muhammadu Buhari. For the rest, I will not mention them because if I do, they’ll be pressured.”
Asked if he had regretted supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, El-Rufai said he had not but was surprised at his actions.
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He said, “I haven’t regretted it, but I have been taken by surprise. But why I don’t regret supporting him is, some Yoruba leaders from the South West had visited Kaduna and informed me that the Muslims of their region were being politically marginalized. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.
“The second reason is this: we agreed that the 2023 presidential seat would be zoned to the Southern part of Nigeria for fairness, balance and justice in the country.”
El-Rufai said he left the APC because the party had deviated from its founding principles.
“The APC abandoned the ideals that led to its formation. It has abandoned the people. Everyone is now pursuing personal interests and wealth. The government has become a business enterprise where everything has a price.
“There is no justice. Those who worked for the party are not recognised, let alone rewarded. Appointments are now controlled by a select group from Lagos. The party is dead.
“That is why I consult Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making my decision,” he said.
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