El-Rufai: I Consulted Buhari Before Leaving APC, He Gave His Blessings
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has disclosed that he sought the counsel and blessings of former President Muhammadu Buhari before resigning his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
El-Rufai, who officially announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday, said Buhari offered prayers and gave his approval for the move. He encouraged his supporters and other well-meaning Nigerians to join him in the new political platform.
In an interview with BBC Hausa on Thursday, El-Rufai explained that Buhari has remained a trusted confidant whose advice he often seeks before making important political decisions.
“There are certain people that before I do any major thing or make any decision, I consult. Anything they ask me not to do, I don’t do. Former President Muhammadu Buhari is among them,” El-Rufai said.
“I consulted Buhari before leaving the APC. It was on a Friday when I met him. I told him to pray for me and give me his blessings, which he did.”
He also recalled his close ties with Buhari during his time as governor, revealing that he once presented a list of potential commissioners to the former president to ensure none had ever spoken ill of him.
“Even when I was governor of Kaduna, before I appointed my commissioners, I took the list to Buhari for cross-checking. He laughed, thanked me, and told me, ‘You can go ahead and appoint your commissioners.’”
When asked if he had a political godfather, El-Rufai said he does not, but emphasized that he surrounds himself with a few trusted political advisers.
He further noted that his decision to exit the APC was driven by the party’s deviation from its founding ideals.
“The APC has abandoned the principles that led to its establishment. It has abandoned the community. Everyone is doing their own thing and chasing personal gains. The government has turned into a business enterprise,” he said.