EL-Rufai: I asked Buhari for his blessings before I left APC
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has revealed that he sought the counsel of former President Muhammadu Buhari before making the bold decision to resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Thursday, el-Rufai disclosed that he does not make major political moves without consulting Buhari, emphasizing the deep respect he has for the former president.
According to el-Rufai, his defection was no different from past decisions where he sought Buhari’s advice. He recounted how, on a Friday, he met with the former president to inform him of his plans to leave the APC and asked for his prayers.
“There are certain people I always consult before making any major decision, and former President Muhammadu Buhari is one of them,” el-Rufai said.
“I told him about my decision, and he gave me his blessings.”
The former governor also revealed a lesser-known detail about his time in office—he had once taken his list of commissioner nominees to Buhari to ensure none of them had ever insulted him.
“He laughed, thanked me, and told me to go ahead with my appointments,” el-Rufai added.
Explaining his departure from the ruling party, El-Rufai accused the APC of abandoning its founding principles.
“The APC has deviated from its core values. It has abandoned the people and become a government of self-interest. Everyone is looking for money. The government has turned into a business enterprise,” he stated.
When asked if he has a political godfather, the former governor dismissed the notion, saying he only relies on a close circle of advisers rather than any single figure.
With his defection to the SDP, el-Rufai is calling on his supporters and other Nigerians concerned about the country’s future to join him in the party. His next political moves remain uncertain, but his exit from the APC signals a potential shake-up in Nigeria’s political landscape.
