Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) was made with the knowledge and approval of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In an interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai stated that throughout his political career, including his tenure as Kaduna governor, he sought Buhari’s input before making key decisions.
“I left APC with his knowledge. I went to him on Friday and informed him that I was leaving the party. There is nothing I do without informing him,” El-Rufai said.
He further disclosed that during his time as governor, he submitted a list of commissioner nominees to Buhari for approval, ensuring none had ever insulted the former president.
No Political Godfather, But Seeks Guidance
When asked about political mentorship, El-Rufai denied having a godfather but acknowledged consulting certain elders.
“My primary political mentor is Muhammadu Buhari. I also seek advice from others, but I won’t mention their names to avoid unnecessary pressure on them,” he stated.
Tinubu Did Not Meet Expectations, But No Regrets
El-Rufai expressed disappointment in President Bola Tinubu’s approach to governance but maintained that he had no regrets supporting him.
“I feel blindsided, but I supported Tinubu for two reasons. First, Yoruba Muslim leaders from the Southwest visited me in Kaduna and explained their political struggles. Second, we agreed that the presidency should return to Southern Nigeria in 2023 for balance and fairness,” he explained.
Why He Left APC for SDP
El-Rufai criticized the APC leadership, stating that the party had abandoned its founding principles and was now driven by personal interests.
“The APC has lost its vision. It no longer represents the people. Those who built the party are sidelined, while appointments are controlled by a select few from Lagos. The party is dead,” he declared.
On Monday, El-Rufai officially announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) via Facebook, citing the APC’s failure to uphold internal democracy.
“As a founding member, I had hoped my values and those of the APC would remain aligned. However, in the last two years, it has become clear that those in control have no intention of addressing the party’s decline,” he stated.
El-Rufai emphasized that he consulted political figures like Tunde Bakare, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making his decision.
His defection marks a significant political shift as Nigeria approaches the next election cycle.
