Buhari gave me his consent to dump APC – El-Rufai
The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has disclosed that he informed former President Muhammad Buhari of his decision to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service, the former governor said he received the consent of Buhari to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai 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.
“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.”
On whether he regrets supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, the former governor 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 marginalised. 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 the Nigeria for fairness, balance and justice in the country.”
Giving his reasons for dumping the APC for the SDP, El-Rufai said the ruling party has deviated from its values and no longer reward people who work for the party.
“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.
