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Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, has revealed that he departed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the full awareness of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
El-Rufai, a key figure in the APC’s formation, formally switched allegiance to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday, a decision he attributed to deteriorating conditions within the ruling party, according to a report by The Eastern Updates.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, the ex-governor disclosed that he had consulted Buhari prior to his exit, discussing both his disillusionment with the APC and his intention to align with the SDP. The defection marks a significant shift for El-Rufai, whose political trajectory has long been intertwined with the APC’s rise, spotlighting deepening fissures within Nigeria’s governing 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.”
Read also: 2027: ‘El-Rufai Talking Like A Drowning Man’ – NNPP
Asked if he had 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.”
Speaking futher, the former governor stated that he had no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, but was surprised at his actions.
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 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.”
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.
He noted that was why he consulted Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making his decision.