Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, has confirmed his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he did so with the approval of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday, El-Rufai announced his move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing concerns over the state of affairs within the APC.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, he revealed that he personally informed Buhari of his decision before leaving the party.
“I left the APC with his full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave because I always consult him on important matters,” El-Rufai said.
Recalling his close ties with Buhari, he mentioned that during his tenure as governor, he even sought the former president’s input on his list of commissioner-nominees.
“He reviewed the list, gave his approval, and prayed for us. I always consult him in everything I do,” he added.
When asked about political mentorship, El-Rufai acknowledged having key advisers but refrained from naming them, except for Buhari, whom he described as his primary political godfather.
On whether he regretted supporting President Bola Tinubu, El-Rufai responded, “I don’t regret it, though I have been taken by surprise. My support for Tinubu was based on two reasons. First, Yoruba Muslim leaders from the Southwest visited me in Kaduna and expressed concerns about political marginalization. Second, we had agreed that the 2023 presidency should be zoned to the South for fairness and balance.”
